Content consumption and notification in a network

ABSTRACT

A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

BACKGROUND

In general, conventional techniques have been used to monitor apopularity of content selected for retrieval from a website. Forexample, conventional techniques enable a respective web user to accessa web page to view information such as current financial news articles(e.g., text-based articles). The web page may include identities ofmultiple text-based articles available for retrieval by web users.Delivery of the article may take less than a second to be streamed overan Internet connect from a server to a corresponding client device usedto view the retrieved article.

In certain instances, a server application distributing the articleskeeps track of successful retrieval (or distribution) of the differentarticles. The server resource can be configured to rank the availablearticles based on popularity of how many times each article has beensuccessfully retrieved over a time period such as the past 24 hours,last week, etc. Web users can view the ranking of articles by visiting arespective website where the articles are available for retrieval. Theusers then select amongst the ranking to view different populararticles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The multiple embodiments as discussed herein deviate with respect toconventional techniques.

First Embodiments

In one embodiment, a data analyzer engine receives content consumptionfeedback associated with delivery of content to multiple subscribers ina cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes thecontent consumption feedback to identify a current content consumptiontrend (such as consumption of streaming content) by the multiplesubscribers. A notification resource notifies one or more subscribers inthe cable network environment of the identified current contentconsumption trends. Accordingly, a respective subscriber can be apprisedof popular as indicated by the content consumption trends. In certainembodiments, if desired, subscribers can initiate playback of popularcontent as specified by the content consumption trends.

This first embodiment can include any of one or more limitations asdiscussed herein.

In one embodiment, the content consumption feedback indicates differentcontent currently selected by the multiple subscribers for viewing onrespective playback devices operated by the multiple subscribers.Analysis of the content consumption feedback can include producing apopularity ranking of the different content. The popularity ranking canindicate which of the different content is currently most popularamongst the multiple subscribers. Notification to a given subscriber inthe cable network environment can include content ranking information.

In accordance with another embodiment, the data analyzer engine can beconfigured to receive attributes associated with a given subscriber inthe cable network environment. The data analyzer engine can assign,based at least in part on the attributes, the given subscriber to aclass amongst multiple viewer classes. The data analyzer engine thengenerates a popularity ranking of content for the class in which thegiven subscriber is assigned. By way of a non-limiting example, thepopularity ranking of content can be based on different contentcurrently consumed by other subscriber members in the class.

In yet another embodiment, the data analyzer engine can be configured toclassify each member based on one or more of the following attributes:i) a type of playback device operated by the given subscriber toplayback content, ii) a genre of content currently played back on theplayback device operated by the given subscriber, iii) a history of arespective type of content previously consumed by the given subscriber,iv) a geographical location of the given subscriber in the cable networkenvironment, v) a time of day, etc.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the data analyzer enginecan be configured to analyze the content consumption feedback toidentify a current content consumption trend by the multiple subscribersand notify a given subscriber in the cable network environment of thecurrent content consumption trend by the multiple subscribers in thesubscriber class assigned to the given subscriber.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the data analyzer engine canbe configured to monitor the content consumption feedback and detect arate at which subscribers in the cable network environment switch totuning to a channel to view playback of particular content. In responseto detecting that the rate of switching to streaming content such asvideo is above a threshold value, the notification resource can providea corresponding notification to the given subscriber. The correspondingnotification can indicate a respective popularity of the particularcontent amongst the multiple subscribers.

In accordance with further embodiments, the notification resource can beconfigured to initiate display of the notification as an overlay messageon less popular content currently played back on a display screenoperated by the given subscriber. Accordingly, a respective subscribercan be apprised of popular content while viewing less popular content.The notification can specify a most popular title of content currentlyconsumed amongst the multiple subscribers. In many instances, the mostpopular title of content (as detected by the data analyzer engine) isdifferent than the content currently played back on the display screen.

In yet further embodiments, the overlay message can be or include aselectable viewing option. In response to receiving selection of themost popular title of content as specified in a respective overlaymessage specifying popular streaming content, a subscriber playbackdevice can be configured to initiate tuning to an appropriate channel ordisplay screen in the cable network environment to retrieve and consumethe most popular title of content for playback on the display screen.

In accordance with further embodiments, receipt of feedback associatedwith delivery of content to the multiple subscribers in the cablenetwork environment can include receiving status information associatedwith each of the multiple subscribers. The status information canindicate an identity of respective content currently consumed by thatsubscriber.

In another embodiment, the data analyzer engine can be configured toreceive historical information indicating content previously consumed bythe given subscriber. The data analyzer engine also can receive currentinformation indicating content currently consumed by the givensubscriber. Based at least in part on the historical content consumptioninformation and the current content consumption information (such asswitching to view different channels in the last fifteen minutes)associated with the given subscriber, the data analyzer engine can beconfigured to assign a respective given subscriber to an appropriatesubscriber class. The assigned class can include multiple subscribermembers. The feedback can indicate different content currently consumedby the multiple subscriber members. In response to detecting inclusionof the given subscriber in the class, the data analyzer engine can beconfigured to provide a recommendation to the given subscriber based oncurrent streaming of content by other members in the same class. Therecommendation can specify a degree of popularity associated with thedifferent content currently consumed by the multiple members in theclass.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the notification resourceassociated with the data analyzer engine can be configured to providenotification to the given subscriber indicating that the givensubscriber is currently playing back, on a display screen, a renditionof most popular selected content amongst the multiple subscribers. Thenotification can be displayed as an overlay message on the rendition ofcontent currently displayed on the display screen. Accordingly, asubscriber can be notified if they are currently watching most popularavailable content.

In accordance with another embodiment, the notification resourceassociated with the data analyzer engine can be configured to providenotification to a given subscriber indicating that the given subscriberis not currently playing back a title of most popular selected contentamongst the multiple subscribers. The notification can be displayed asan overlay message on a rendition of content currently played back on adisplay screen operated by the given subscriber. Accordingly, asubscriber can be notified if they are currently not watching mostpopular available content.

In accordance with another embodiment, the data analyzer engine can beconfigured to classify each of the multiple subscribers as being amember of one of multiple classes. As mentioned, subscriber members in asame class share common attributes and likely are interested inconsumption of the same or similar type of content. The data analyzerengine processes the feedback in substantially real-time to identifydegrees of popularity associated with different content viewed bymembers in each of the classes. For each respective class, the dataanalyzer engine produces a popularity ranking of content selected forviewing by members in the respective class. The notification resourceassociated with the data analyzer engine then notifies members, who areassigned to a same respective class, of the popularity rankingassociated with different content viewed by other members in that class.

In accordance with another embodiment, subsequent to monitoring anddetermining top trending content, the data analysis engine can receive acorresponding description (e.g., image, text, audio, etc.)representative of the top trending content. The data analyzer engine canbe configured to produce a notification to a given subscriber to includethe corresponding description (e.g., image, text, audio, etc.) toindicate an identity of the top trending content.

In yet further embodiments, the data analyzer engine can be configuredto assign a given subscriber as being a member of a first class ofmultiple classes. As previously discussed, subscriber members in thefirst class may share common attributes. Inclusion of the subscribermember in the first class can be based at least in part on a channel towhich each of the members in the same class are (or were) all tuned. Inresponse to detecting that the given subscriber changes from one channelto another in the cable network environment, the data analyzer enginecan be configured to assign the given subscriber member to a secondclass of the multiple classes instead of the first class. Accordingly,current content consumption selection information such as channelselection can be used to profile a particular subscriber and identify anappropriate subscriber class in which to place the member.

Note that the data analyzer engine can be configured to filter thereceived feedback to include events that occur within a predeterminedmoving window of time (such as a last half hour, last 15 minutes, lastfew minutes, etc.) with respect to present time. The data analyzerengine then utilizes the filtered feedback to identify the currentcontent consumption trend for notifying one or more subscribers in thecable network environment.

In yet another embodiment, while a given subscriber tunes to and playsback first content in the cable network environment, the data analyzerengine can receive notification that second content is most popular forviewing amongst the multiple subscribers. In response to receiving thenotification, the data analyzer engine or other suitable resource suchas subscriber device can be configured to record the second content in arepository accessible to the given subscriber while the given subscriberplays back the first content on a respective display screen.

Second Embodiments

In accordance with further embodiments, a data analyzer engine can beconfigured to receive feedback indicating different content currentlyconsumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The dataanalyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumedcontent amongst the different content and produces a content guide toinclude multiple selectable channels (such as channels of broadcastedcontent, video on demand content, IPTV content, etc.) from which contentis available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cablenetwork environment. The content guide can include one or moreselectable viewing options to view a rendition of content beingidentified as more or most popular.

In one embodiment, a particular selectable viewing option in the contentguide can indicate the most (or more) popular available content forviewing. Each of one or more playback devices (or other suitableresources) can retrieve and initiate display of the content guide on adisplay screen. Accordingly, each subscriber can view differentavailable content options as well as an identification of content thatis currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

This embodiment can include any of one or more limitations as discussedherein.

In one embodiment, the display screen or other suitable resourcedisplays the selectable viewing option (indicating more popular content)as a particular selectable channel amongst the multiple selectablechannels. If desired, the selectable viewing option (such as a “hot”channel) in the content guide of popular content can appear as anavailable channel in the content guide.

In accordance with further embodiments, the selectable viewing optioncan be a supplemental channel with respect to multiple selectablechannels referenced in the content guide. Subscribers can tune to thesupplemental channel to view most popular content. For example, thesupplemental channel can be allocated to transmit a copy of most popularconsumed content amongst multiple standard selectable channels at anygiven time. In response to detecting that particular content iscurrently the most popular consumed content, a distribution resource canbe configured to transmit a copy of the most popular consumed content onthe supplemental channel in the cable network environment. Thus, popularcontent can be made available on a supplemental channel.

Because popularity of streaming content can change over time, a contentdistribution resource can be configured to transmit copies of contentfrom different channels over time. For example, based on feedback, adata analyzer engine can be configured to detect that a first channel ofthe multiple selectable channels broadcasts most popular viewed content(first content) during a first hour. Based on further feedback at alater time, the data analyzer engine can be configured to detect that asecond channel of the multiple selectable channels broadcasts mostpopular content (second content) during a second hour. The distributionresource can be configured to transmit a copy of the first content onthe supplemental channel during the first hour and, thereafter, switchto transmitting a copy of the second content on the supplemental channelduring the second hour. Accordingly, the supplemental channel (or hotchannel transmitting the most popular content) can distribute copies ofcontent from different channels over time. Subscribers can tune to thesupplemental channel to retrieve the most popular content available atthat time.

In accordance with another embodiment, in the above example, the firstcontent is available for viewing by tuning to either the first channelor the supplemental channel during the first hour. The second content isavailable for viewing by tuning to either the second channel or thesupplemental channel during the second hour. Accordingly, thesupplemental channel can provide some amount of redundancy with respectto the standard channels.

In accordance with further embodiments, in response to receivingselection of the selectable viewing option (of most popular content)from the content guide, the receiving device can be configured to tuneto a corresponding supplemental channel as specified in the contentguide on which the most popular content is available.

In one embodiment, the playback device can be configured toautomatically tune to the channel that is detected as being mostpopular. Accordingly, a subscriber need not switch between channels toview content detected as being most popular.

As an alternative to use of a supplemental channel to distribute a copyof popular content, embodiments herein can include redirecting asubscriber to tune to the appropriate channel in response to detectingselection of the selectable viewing option (most popular content) in thecontent guide. For example, as mentioned, the content guide can indicatemost popular content amongst the multiple channels. In response toreceiving selection of the selectable viewing option, the correspondingdevice can be configured to tune to a corresponding channel in thecontent guide that already broadcasts or transmits the popular content.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the most popular contentcan include first content and second content available for retrieval inthe cable network environment. In response to receiving selection of theselectable viewing option from the content guide, a correspondingresource can be configured to: initiate display of a first symbol and asecond symbol on a respective display screen. The first symbol canrepresent the first content; the first symbol can indicate that thefirst content is amongst the most popular content of the multipleselectable channels currently selected for viewing in the cable networkenvironment. The second symbol can represent the second content; thesecond symbol can indicate that the second content is amongst the mostpopular content of the multiple selectable channels currently selectedfor viewing in the cable network environment.

In accordance with additional embodiments, in response to receivingselection of the selectable viewing option (indicating popular content)from the content guide, a corresponding resource can be configured toinitiate display of multiple window regions including a first windowregion and a second window region on a respective display screen. Thefirst window region can be configured to display playback of a renditionof the first content (at a first resolution); the second window regioncan be configured to display playback of a rendition of the secondcontent (at the first resolution). In one embodiment, as indicated byappropriate entries in the content guide, the first content is availablefor retrieval over a first channel of the multiple selectable channelsin the content guide; the second content can be available for retrievalover a second channel of the multiple selectable channels in the contentguide.

Assume that the subscriber selects viewing of the second content on thedisplay screen via selection of the second window region. In response toreceiving selection of the second window region or second content, theplayback device tunes to the second channel to retrieve (a higherresolution version of) the second content. In such an instance, inresponse to receiving the selection, the display screen initiatesdisplay of a substantially full screen playback rendition of the secondcontent on the display screen. The substantially full screen renditionof the second content is displayed in accordance with a secondresolution. The second resolution can be substantially greater that thefirst resolution used to playback a sample of the content.

Further embodiments herein can include receiving selection of a genreamongst multiple genres. After received selection of a genre, inresponse to receiving additional input such as selection of theselectable viewing option from the content guide, a respective displayscreen displays identities of the most popular content for the selectedgenre.

In accordance with further embodiments, the content guide can bedisplayed on a supplemental display screen that is disparately locatedwith respect to a primary display screen controlled by a respectivesubscriber to view content selected for viewing from the content guide.For example, the supplemental display screen can be part of a remotecontroller device used to select content for viewing and playback ofcontent on the primary display screen.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a data analyzer enginereceives feedback indicating content currently consumed amongst multiplesubscribers in a cable network environment. As previously discussed, thedata analyzer engine can be configured to rank the currently consumedcontent according to popularity. A notification resource affiliated withthe data analyzer engine initiates distribution of selected content to agiven subscriber in the cable network environment; the given subscriberplays back a rendition of the selected content on a respective displayscreen.

In one embodiment, the notification resource initiates display of anoverlay notification on the rendition of the currently selected content.The notification can indicate popular content in the ranking. Thepopular content can be different than the selected content currentlyplayed back on the display screen. Accordingly, via a respectivenotification, a subscriber can be apprised when they are not currentlytuned to view the most popular content.

By further way of a non-limiting example, in response to detecting thatthe selected content currently played back on the display screen is notthe most popular content as indicated by ranking information, thenotification resource initiates display of a respective notification onthe display screen.

Further embodiments as explained herein include storing popular contentin a repository while a respective subscriber views unpopular content.For example, a media management resource (such as a media playerapplication, set-top box, cable modem, router, etc.) can be configuredto receive first content (such as video data) over a sharedcommunication link in a network environment. The media managementresource facilitates playback of the first content on a respectiveplayback device. In one embodiment, the media management resourcereceives a notification from a remote resource. In one embodiment, thenotification is generated at the remote resource based on detecting thatpopularity of second content (such as video data) available over theshared communication link is above a threshold value in a popularityranking. In other words, content can be detected as being popular basedon consumption above a threshold value with respect to other availablecontent.

In response to receiving the notification, the media management resourceinitiates storage of the second content (e.g., popular content) in arepository for subsequent selective playback on the playback device.Accordingly, a user operating a playback device may initially retrieveand playback unpopular content for viewing. The user may not be aware ofthe second content or that the second content is more popularly viewedamongst subscribers. In anticipation of the subscriber potentiallywanting to view the more popular content, the media management resourcestores the second content (popular content) for possible retrieval bythe user at a later time. The second content can be stored locally orremotely with respect to a respective subscriber domain in which theuser resides.

During playback of the first content, in response to detecting that thesecond content is quite popular amongst viewers, the media managementresource or other suitable resource can be configured to initiatedisplay of a message on a display screen of the playback device. Themessage can indicate the availability of the second content for playbackfrom a local or remote storage resource (such as a digital videorecorder). In one embodiment, the message displayed to the subscriberindicates that the second content available to the user is popularlyviewed content amongst other viewers.

In response to receiving the message, assume that the user operating theplayback device generates a request to play back the second content(i.e., content stored in response to detecting that it is popular) onthe playback device instead of the first content (unpopular content). Inresponse to receiving a request from a user of the playback device toplayback the second content: the media management resource discontinuesplayback of the first content on the playback device and initiatesstreaming of the second content from the repository to the playbackdevice. Assuming that the entirety of the second content has not yetbeen received and stored in the repository, the media managementresource can continue to store the second content (streaming content)received over the shared communication link in the repository.Accordingly, a user may have access to content deemed as being mostpopular content in a network environment even though the content is notcurrently viewed.

Further embodiments herein can include storing a multiple availablestreams of content available over a shared communication link in arespective repository and modifying which streams of content are storeddepending on received popularity ranking information. That is, a contentstorage manager can be configured to cancel certain recordings ofcontent depending on popularity of the content.

More specifically, in one embodiment, a content storage manager in anetwork environment receives a set of multiple streams of content. Thestreams of content are selectable for viewing by respective subscribers.Initially, the content management resource initiates storage of the setof multiple streams of content in a respective repository. Therepository (such as a digital video recorder) can be disposed locally ina respective subscriber domain or disposed remotely with respect to asubscriber domain.

Because storage may be limited, based on popularity ranking informationindicating a popularity of the multiple streams of content amongstsubscribers in a network environment, the content management resourcediscontinues storage of less popular content such as at least one of butfewer-than-all of the streams of content in the set.

As a more specific example, the set of multiple streams of content caninclude at least a first stream of content and a second stream ofcontent. Because it may not be known yet whether content will be popularor not at an outset of recording the streams of content, the contentmanagement resource obtains and stores initial portions of the firststream of content in the repository; the content management resourcestores initial portions of the second stream of content in therepository; and so on.

In response to detecting that a magnitude of the viewers (subscribers)in the network environment selecting the first stream of content forplayback in a scheduled time slot is less than a magnitude of theviewers (subscribers) in the network environment selecting the secondstream of content for playback in the scheduled time slot, the contentmanagement resource: i) discontinues storage of the first stream ofcontent (non-popular content), and ii) continues storage of the secondstream of content (popular content) in the repository. In other words,if streaming content is detected as being unpopular, embodiments hereininclude discontinuing storage of video data associated with thatstreaming content to avoid wasting storage resources.

Thus, the content management resource can be sure to store more popularcontent without knowing in advance which of the content will be mostpopular. Subsequent to storage of at least a portion of a respectivepopular stream of content, the subscribers can access the repository atany point in the data stream (such as from the beginning up to a currentpoint of recording linear content). The subscribers therefore haveaccess to most popular content. As mentioned, storage resources are notwasted (such as to store non-popular content) because only popularcontent saved for retrieval by respective subscribers.

Additional embodiments herein can include identifying more popularcontent (such as content retrieved via video on demand) consumed in arespective network environment and then making the popular contentavailable in a linear playback channel. For example, a media managementresource can be configured to monitor consumption of multiple streams ofcontent amongst multiple subscribers in a network environment. In amanner as previously discussed, based on the consumption, a dataanalyzer engine or other suitable resource can produce popularityranking information indicating a popularity of the multiple streams ofcontent amongst the multiple viewing subscribers.

The streams of content monitored by the media management resource can beany suitable type of content such as video on demand in which content istransmitted to subscribers in newly allocated channels (e.g., switcheddigital video channels, IPTV channels, etc.).

In one embodiment, the media management resource utilizes popularityranking information to identify a subset of the multiple streams ofcontent to make available in a playback channel, which is accessible tomultiple subscribers over a respective shared communication link.

In a further example embodiment, a network manager resource allocatesthe playback channel to broadcast popular content as indicated by thepopularity ranking information. Based on the popularity rankinginformation, the network manager resource schedules broadcasttransmission of the subset of multiple streams of content (e.g., contentdeemed as being more popular amongst subscribers) over the allocatedplayback channel. Each of multiple subscribers can simultaneously tuneto the same broadcast signal transmitted over the playback channel viewrespective content.

Third Embodiments

A data analyzer engine receives feedback associated with delivery ofcontent (such as streaming content) to multiple subscriber domains in acable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes thefeedback to identify attributes of current content consumption byplayback devices operated in the subscriber domains. Based on theanalyzed feedback, the data analyzer engine produces control informationspecifying data flow control rates in which the playback devices areassigned to retrieve content over a shared communication link in thecable network environment. Accordingly, data flow rates in a networkenvironment (such as a subscriber domain) can be controlled to promotefairness and optimal use of available bandwidth amongst multipleplayback devices sharing a respective communication link.

This embodiment can include any of one or more limitations as discussedherein.

In one embodiment, the feedback includes status information specifying,for each of the subscriber domains, usage or attempted usage ofavailable bandwidth in the shared communication link. The availablebandwidth can be allocated for delivery of content, which is madeavailable by a cable network service provider. Each of the multiplesubscriber domains (or subscribers) subscribe to services provided bythe cable network service provider.

In accordance with another embodiment, the control information specifiesallocation of portions of available bandwidth to multiple playbackdevices in a respective subscriber domain.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the feedback received by thedata analyzer engine can indicate different content (such as adaptivebit rate encoded content) currently transmitted over the sharedcommunication link and consumed by the playback devices in thesubscriber domains. The data analyzer engine can be configured toproduce the data flow control information to control retrieval ofadaptive bit rate encoded content by the playback devices. Thus,otherwise greedy algorithms in corresponding playback devices can becontrolled to retrieve content within specified data flow rates.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the feedback received bythe data analyzer engine can indicate attributes of the playbackdevices. The data analyzer engine can be configured to assign the dataflow control rates to the playback devices based on a type (e.g., IPAD™,IPOD™, personal computer, set-top box, etc.) and/or settings associatedwith each playback device. Accordingly, excess bandwidth in the networkenvironment is not needlessly wasted playback devices that do notrequire or benefit from such high data rates.

In yet further embodiments, a particular playback device in a subscriberdomain of the cable network environment can receive the controlinformation. In such an instance, the playback device utilizes thecontrol information to control a data rate of retrieving content overthe shared communication link.

In accordance with another embodiment, a distribution resource (such asa control mode resource, server resource, router, etc.) disposed in asubscriber domain of the cable network environment can be configured toreceive the control information. The distribution resource facilitatesdistribution of content received over the shared communication link to aset of one or more playback devices in the subscriber domain. In oneembodiment, the distribution resource utilizes the control informationto control a rate of data conveyed to each of the one or more playbackdevices in the set. Accordingly, any of one or more different contentconsumption devices in a cable network environment can be configured toutilize received control information to control data rates of retrievingcontent over a shared communication link in the cable networkenvironment.

In accordance with another embodiment, the feedback can indicatedifferent content currently selected by the multiple subscribers forviewing on respective playback devices operated by the multiplesubscribers. The data analyzer engine can be configured to analyze thefeedback and produce a popularity ranking of the different content. Thepopularity ranking can indicate which of the different content iscurrently most popular amongst the multiple subscribers. Thenotification resource associated with the data analyzer engine can beconfigured to notify the given subscriber in the cable networkenvironment of the current content consumption trend by forwarding theranking information to the appropriate subscriber.

In accordance with further embodiments, the data flow control rates canspecify maximum rates at which the playback devices in the subscriberdomains are able to retrieve adaptive bit rate encoded contenttransmitted over an IP (Internet Protocol) channel of the sharedcommunication link. Accordingly, otherwise greedy algorithms (whichattempt to retrieve content at a highest possible bit rate) can beprevented from consuming excess bandwidth at the expense of othersubscriber in a network environment.

In accordance with further embodiments, the feedback can include statusinformation associated with each of the multiple subscribers and/orusers. In one embodiment, the status information can include informationsuch as an identity of respective content currently consumed bysubscribers. Based on an identity of consumed content, embodimentsherein can include assigning different flow rates to playback devices ina respective subscriber domain. Thus, an assigned flow rate can dependon a type or identity of content being retrieved for consumption (i.e.,storage, playback, etc.).

Yet further embodiments herein include producing control informationindicating bit rates at which respective members in a subscriber domainare able to retrieve content over a shared communication link to therespective subscriber domain in which the members reside. For example, amonitor resource can monitor a type of data consumed by a respectivecommunication device. A control information generator can be configuredto control a bit rate of transmitting data to a particular device basedon a respective type of content streamed to a playback device. Portionsof limited available bandwidth to a subscriber domain can be assignedfor use by different members in the subscriber domain depending on typesof content being streamed by each of the different playback devices inthe subscriber domain.

More specifically, multiple playback devices can be operated in asubscriber domain to retrieve and playback content. For example, a firstplayback device operated by a parent in a given subscriber domain canretrieve and playback content such as a sports event (a high-definitionfootball game) requiring a relatively high bit rate. A second playbackdevice operated by a child in the given subscriber domain can retrieveand playback a cartoon targeted for consumption by pre-school children.In such an instance, based on the different types of content viewed bydifferent playback devices, a respective controller can be configured togenerate respective control information to allocate a substantiallyhigher portion of available bandwidth on a shared communication linkinto the subscriber domain to the first playback device than an amountof available bandwidth allocated to the second playback device.Accordingly, embodiments herein include providing fair use of bandwidthamongst members in a subscriber domain based on knowing types ofconsumed content and assigning appropriate bit rates to convey each typeof content.

In accordance with further embodiments, certain identified members in asubscriber domain can be allowed to retrieve data at a higher respectivelevel of quality and/or higher bit rate than other members. For example,a parent in the subscriber domain operating a first playback device canbe afforded a higher bit rate for retrieving content than a respectivechild operating a second playback device.

Detecting an identity of user operating a respective playback device canbe achieved in any suitable manner. For example, embodiments herein canrequire users in a respective subscriber domain to login and provideidentity information.

Based on the identity information, the users in the subscriber domaincan be allocated different amounts of available bandwidth. For example,a first playback device can be operated by a first user (such as aparent) in a given subscriber domain. A second user operates a secondplayback device in the subscriber domain. As mentioned, the second usermay be a child of the parent. In such an instance, based on a levelassigned to the users, a controller can be configured to generaterespective control information to allocate a substantially higherportion of available bandwidth on the shared communication link to thefirst playback device than allocation of an amount of availablebandwidth allocated to the second playback device.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include providing fair use of bandwidthamongst members in a subscriber domain based on a level of deliveryservice assigned each of the users in the subscriber domain.

In one embodiment, as opposed to receiving login information such asusername and/or password information, identities of the users can bedetermined based on device information such as unique network addressesassigned to the different devices operating in the subscriber domain.Stored configuration information can indicate the different levels ofbit rates to be allocated to each of the corresponding devices operatedby the users.

In yet further embodiments, the data analyzer engine (or other suitabledistribution resource) can be configured to distribute the generatedcontrol information to one or more playback devices in respectivesubscriber domains. The control information can include control settingsfor a particular subscriber domain of the multiple subscriber domains inthe cable network environment. In one embodiment, the control settingsfor the particular subscriber domain can include a first flow ratesetting and a second flow rate setting. The first flow rate setting canspecify a retrieval rate assigned to a first playback device in theparticular subscriber domain. The second flow rate setting can specify aretrieval rate assigned to a second playback device in the particularsubscriber domain. In one embodiment, the flow rate settings specify amaximum rate at which the corresponding assigned playback device is ableto retrieve content. Accordingly, content consumption of otherwisegreedy algorithms can be controlled to provide fairness and efficientuse of available bandwidth.

Another embodiment herein includes generating, from a hardware resource(such as a control mode, server resource, router, playback device, etc.)in a subscriber domain of a cable network environment, feedbackassociated with current content consumption in the subscriber domain.The hardware resource in the subscriber domain forwards the feedback toa management resource (such as a data analyzer engine) in the cablenetwork environment. Thereafter, the hardware resource receives controlinformation from the management resource. The control information canspecify data flow control rates assigned to one or more playback devicesin the subscriber domain.

In one embodiment, the subscriber domain includes a first playbackdevice and a second playback device operated therein. The controlinformation specifies a first maximum flow rate at which the firstplayback device is able to retrieve content over a shared communicationlink to the subscriber domain. The control information further specifiesa second maximum flow rate at which the second playback device is ableto retrieve content over the shared communication link.

In accordance with further embodiments, a media player application (suchas a media player application in the first playback device) limits thefirst playback device to retrieval of adaptive bit rate encoded contentas specified by the first maximum flow rate. A media player application(such as a media player application in the second playback device)limits the second playback device to retrieval of adaptive bit rateencoded content as specified by the second maximum flow rate.

In yet further embodiments, the hardware resource in the subscriberdomain generates the feedback to specify particular streaming contentcurrently consumed by a given playback device in the subscriber domain.The management resource generates a magnitude of a respective data flowcontrol setting assigned to the given playback device based onattributes of the particular streaming content. For example, contentwith relatively few scene changes can be assigned a lower data flowcontrol rate. A higher flow rate can be assigned to action imagesrequiring more data to properly reconstruct a good qualityrepresentation.

In one embodiment, streaming content retrieved by the playback devicescan be encoded at multiple levels of quality. Higher levels of playbackquality require transmission of larger amounts of data to the playbackdevice. In one embodiment, a given playback device can generate requests(such as HTTP requests) for retrieval of adaptive bit rate encodedcontent. The given playback device limits a rate of retrieval ofadaptive bit rate encoded content over a shared communication link ofthe cable network environment in accordance with the respective dataflow control setting assigned to the playback device.

In accordance with further embodiments, a given playback device in asubscriber domain generating the feedback to the management resourcespecifies attributes of the given playback device. The managementresource generates a magnitude of a respective data flow control settingassigned to the given playback device based on the attributes of thegiven playback device. For example, if the playback device has a smalldisplay screen, the management resource can be configured to assign theplayback device less bandwidth. If the playback device has a largerdisplay screen with high resolution (compared to the small displayscreen), the management resource can be configured to assign theplayback device more available bandwidth. As discussed herein, asuitable resource can be configured to utilizing the respective dataflow control settings to control a rate of retrieving streaming contentover a shared communication link to the given playback device.

These and other more specific embodiments are disclosed in more detailbelow.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one ormore computerized devices, servers, base stations, wirelesscommunication equipment, communication management systems, workstations,handheld or laptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or supportany or all of the method operations disclosed herein. In other words,one or more computerized devices or processors can be programmed and/orconfigured to operate as explained herein to carry out differentembodiments of the invention.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. Onesuch embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any physicalcomputer readable hardware storage medium) on which softwareinstructions are encoded for subsequent execution. The instructions,when executed in a computerized device having a processor, programand/or cause the processor to perform the operations disclosed herein.Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code,instructions, and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged orencoded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as anoptical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick,etc., or other a medium such as firmware or shortcode in one or moreROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such configurations canbe installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized deviceto perform the techniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,computer program product, etc., that supports operations as discussedherein.

One or more embodiment includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, whenexecuted by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processorhardware of the system to: receive feedback associated with delivery ofcontent to multiple subscribers in a cable network environment; analyzethe feedback to identify a current content consumption trend by themultiple subscribers; and notify a given subscriber in the cable networkenvironment of the current content consumption trend.

Yet another embodiment herein includes a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Theinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: receive feedback associated withdelivery of content to multiple subscriber domains in a cable networkenvironment; analyze the feedback to identify attributes of currentcontent consumption by playback devices operated in the subscriberdomains; and based on the analyzed feedback, produce control informationspecifying data flow control rates in which the playback devices areable to retrieve content over a shared communication link in the cablenetwork environment.

Still another embodiment herein includes a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Suchinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: receive feedback indicating differentcontent currently consumed by subscribers in a cable networkenvironment; analyze the feedback to identify most popular consumedcontent amongst the different content; produce a content guide toinclude multiple selectable channels from which content is available forretrieval over a shared communication link in the cable networkenvironment, the content guide including a selectable viewing option toview a rendition of the most popular content, the selectable viewingoption indicating the most popular content; and initiate display of thecontent guide on a display screen.

An additional embodiment herein includes a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Suchinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: receive feedback indicating contentcurrently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment; rankthe currently consumed content according to popularity; initiatedistribution of selected content to a given subscriber in the cablenetwork environment, the given subscriber playing back a rendition ofthe selected content on a display screen; and initiate display of anoverlay notification on the rendition of the selected content, thenotification indicating popular content in the ranking, the popularcontent different than the selected content played back on the displayscreen.

A further embodiment herein includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. Such instructions,when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to: receive feedback associated with consumption ofcontent by multiple playback devices in a cable network environment;analyze the feedback; and based on analysis of the feedback, producecontrol information specifying data flow control rates in which themultiple playback devices are able to retrieve content over a sharedcommunication link in the cable network environment.

A further embodiment herein includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. Such instructions,when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to: classify each of multiple subscribers in anetwork environment as being a member of one of multiple classes,members in a same class sharing common attributes; for each respectiveclass of the multiple classes, produce a popularity ranking of contentselected for viewing by members in the respective class; and notifymembers, in a same class, of the popularity ranking associated withdifferent content viewed by members in that same class.

A yet further embodiment herein includes a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Suchinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: generate feedback associated withcurrent content consumption in the subscriber domain; forward thefeedback to a management resource in the cable network environment; andreceive control information from the management resource, the controlinformation specifying data flow control rates assigned to one or moreplayback devices in the subscriber domain.

Further embodiments herein include a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. Such instructions,when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to: receive first content over a shared communicationlink in a network environment; initiate playback of the first content ona playback device; receive a notification, the notification generatedbased on detecting that popularity of second content available over theshared communication link is above a threshold value in a popularityranking; and in response to receiving the notification, initiate storageof the second content in a repository for subsequent selective playbackon the playback device.

Another embodiments herein includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. Such instructions,when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to: receive a set of multiple streams of content;initiate storage of the set of multiple streams of content in arepository; and based on popularity ranking information indicating apopularity of the multiple streams of content amongst viewers in anetwork environment, discontinue storage of at least one of butfewer-than-all of the streams of content in the set.

Yet further embodiments herein include a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Suchinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: monitor consumption of multiple streamsof content amongst multiple subscribers in a network environment; basedon the consumption, produce popularity ranking information indicating apopularity of the multiple streams of content amongst the multiplesubscribers; utilize the popularity ranking information to identify asubset of the multiple streams of content; and transmit the subset ofthe multiple streams of content over a playback channel accessible tothe subscribers.

The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Notethat any of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed inany suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, or as hardware alone such as withina processor, or within an operating system or a within a softwareapplication.

As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for processingcontent consumption information. However, it should be noted thatembodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications and thatthe techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applicationsas well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments hereinpurposefully does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementallynovel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention(s). Instead,this brief description only presents general embodiments andcorresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. Foradditional details and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of theinvention(s), the reader is directed to the Detailed Description sectionand corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a network environmentincluding a data analyzer engine processing feedback according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating classification of subscribersand generate of corresponding content ranking information according toembodiments herein

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating rankings of current contentconsumption according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating display of one or morenotification according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example computer architecture inwhich to execute any of the functionality according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating a method of providingnotification of current content consumption trends according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating notification of popularconsumed content in a content guide according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating notification of popularconsumed content in a content guide according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of popular consumedcontent in a content guide according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of consumed contentfor a respective genre according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of consumed contentfor a respective genre according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of popular consumedcontent by genre according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating a method of providingnotification of popular content in a content guide according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating a method of providingnotification of popular consumed content according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 15 is an example diagram illustrating processing of feedback andgeneration of control information according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 16 is an example diagram illustrating generation of controlinformation for subscribers in a cable network environment according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 17 is an example diagram illustrating generated control informationfor subscribers in a cable network environment according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 18 is an example diagram illustrating generated of controlinformation for subscribers in a cable network environment according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 19 is an example diagram illustrating generated control informationfor subscribers in a cable network environment according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 20 is an example diagram illustrating generated control informationfor subscribers in a cable network environment according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 21 is an example diagram illustrating a method of receivingfeedback and generating control information according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 22 is an example diagram illustrating a method of receivingfeedback and generating control information according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 23 is an example diagram illustrating storage of popular content ina repository during streaming of less popular content according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 24 is an example diagram illustrating a method of implementingstorage of content based on popularity in anticipation of a subsequentaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 25 is an example diagram illustrating cancellation of recordingmultiple streams of content based on popularity ranking informationaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 26 is an example diagram illustrating a method of storing contentin a repository according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 27 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of multiplestreams of content in an allocated hot channel according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 28 is an example diagram illustrating a method of detecting popularcontent and initiating playback of respective content over an allocatedhot channel according to embodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND FURTHER SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, more specifically, FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

As shown, network environment 100 (such as a content delivery network)includes multiple networks 190 including a packet-switched network190-1, a core network 190-2, shared network 190-3, etc.

Network environment 100 can include one or more repositories to storedata. For example, subscriber domain 150-1 can include a repository180-1 (such as a local digital video recorder) to store content forlater playback. Network 190-2 can include a repository 180-2 (such as aremote digital video recorder) accessible to one or more subscribers inrespective subscriber domains 150.

In general, via the different types of networks 190, respectivesubscribers and corresponding playback devices 110 in subscriber domains150 are able to retrieve and playback different types of content such asover-the-top content, scheduled broadcast content, video on-demandcontent, etc.

More specifically, as shown in this example, subscriber domain 150-1includes multiple content playback devices 110-1, 110-2, etc. Eachsubscriber domain can include one or more playback devices to retrieveand play back content.

In this example embodiment, playback device 110-1 includes displayscreen 130-1 and plays back a rendition of selected content 122-1;playback device 110-2 includes display screen 130-2 and plays back arendition of selected content 122-2; and so on.

In addition to one or more playback devices 110 (collectively, device110-1, device 110-2, etc.), subscriber domain 150-1 also includesresource 117-1 representing resources such as one or more set-top boxes,cable modems, WiFi™ networks, server resources, data router, etc.

In one embodiment, resource 117-1 facilitates distribution of contentreceived over shared communication link 191 to the devices 110. Forexample, via communications through the resource 117-1 and over sharedcommunication link 191 to distribution resource 125 (such as a cablemodem termination system), the client devices 110 can initiate retrievalof content (such as video on demand content, over-the-top content,broadcast content, IPTV content, etc.).

Resource 117-1 can receive broadcast content (from content deliveryresource 113-1, content delivery resource 113-2, etc.) transmitted overpredetermined channels in shared network 190-3 to multiple subscriberdomains 150. To play back broadcast content, the resource 117-1 tunes toone or more channels as indicated by users of devices 110-1.

In one embodiment, shared communication link 191 can be configured tosupport distribution of so-called over-the-top content. For example, aportion of bandwidth in shared communication link 191 can support datachannels in accordance with DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification) or any other suitable communication standard. Via thedata channels, each of the subscribers can retrieve over-the-top contentfrom respective server sources disposed in packet-switched network 190-1such as the Internet. As its name suggests, packet-switched network190-1 enables routing of data packets based on network addressinformation.

By way of a non-limiting example, packet-switched network 190-1 cansupport client-server type communications. For example, a playbackdevice can generate a request for content from a particular serverresource such as server resource 119-1 using an appropriate networkaddress of the server resource 119-1. In response to receiving therequest for content, the server resource 119-1 transmits the requestedcontent over packet-switched network 190-1 (as over-the-top content) tothe respective client device in a subscriber domain using the networkaddress of the client.

In one embodiment, cable network 190-2 supports services such asdistribution of content via one or more cable television channels (e.g.,QAM or quadrature amplitude modulated channels, IPTV channels, etc.) tosubscribers in network environment 100.

As shown, shared network 190-3 supports final connectivity tosubscribers or subscriber domains 150 and includes physical media suchas one or more coaxial cables, optical fibers, twisted wire pairs, etc.,to provide connectivity. In one embodiment, each subscriber domainconnected to the shared communication link 191 in shared network 190-3is part of a respective service group that receives a same set ofsignals transmitted by distribution resource 125. Any of the devices inthe service group can tune to the streaming content broadcasted overshared communication link 191. Other content transmitted over the sharedcommunication link 191 may be specifically addressed to each of theplayback devices.

Network environment 100 includes data analyzer engine 140. In oneembodiment, data analyzer engine 140 receives feedback 155 associatedwith delivery of different types of content to multiple subscriberdomains 150 in a cable network environment.

The content consumption feedback 155 can be received from any suitableresource. For example, each of the devices 110 can transmitcorresponding content selection information (indicating selected contentconsumed by a respective device) as feedback 155 to data analyzer engine140. Additionally or alternatively, resource 117-1 can be configured tokeep track of content currently consumed by the playback devices andtransmit corresponding content selection information as feedback 155 todata analyzer engine 140. Additionally or alternatively, distributionresource 125 can be configured to keep track of content currentlyconsumed by the playback devices and transmit corresponding contentselection information as content consumption feedback 155 to dataanalyzer engine 140; and so on.

Accordingly, the data analyzer engine 140 (such as a managementresource) can be configured to receive status information associatedwith each of the multiple subscribers from one or more differentresources disposed in network environment. In one embodiment, thecontent consumption status information (such as feedback 155) directlyor indirectly indicates an identity of respective content currentlyconsumed by each of one or more playback devices in different subscriberdomains.

In one embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140 stores the receivedcontent consumption feedback 155 as content consumption information 133.

The data analyzer engine 140 analyzes the content consumption feedback155 (stored as content consumption information 133) to identify currentcontent consumption trends 135 by the multiple subscribers in networkenvironment 100. Current content consumption trend 135 can indicatewhich of the content is currently most popular consumed content innetwork environment 100. One way to detect current content consumptiontrending is measure how many playback devices or subscribers are tunedto play back each of different titles of available content.

Subsequent to identifying current content consumption trends 135, thedata analyzer engine 140 (or other suitable resource such asnotification resource 141) notifies one or more subscribers in a networkenvironment 100 of the current content consumption trends 135.

As mentioned above, the content consumption feedback 155 can indicatedifferent content currently selected by the multiple subscribers (inrespective subscriber domains 150) for viewing on respective playbackdevices 110 operated by the multiple subscribers. Based on analyzing thecontent consumption feedback 155 in real-time or substantiallyreal-time, the data analyzer engine 140 produces one or more popularityrankings of the different content available over shared communicationlink 191. The popularity rankings can indicate which of the differentavailable content (broadcast content, over-the-top content, video ondemand content, IPTV content, etc.) is currently most popular contentconsumed amongst the multiple subscribers in the subscriber domains 150.

Embodiments herein include notifying the subscribers of the rankings(current content consumption trend 135). For example, notificationresource 141 (which may be part of a management resource) can beconfigured to communicate a content consumption message throughdistribution resource 125 and over shared communication link 191 toresource 117-1. Resource 117-1 forwards the content consumptionnotification to an appropriate device in subscriber domain 150-1. In oneembodiment, the content consumption notification indicates the mostpopular currently viewed content amongst viewers in network environment100. A corresponding device 110 initiates display of the notification ona respective display screen (such as display screen 130-1, displayscreen 130-2, and so on) to inform the subscriber of which content iscurrently most popular.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include: analyzing the contentconsumption feedback 155 to identify current content consumption trend135 by the multiple subscribers; and notifying each of one or morecorresponding subscribers in the cable network environment of thecurrent content consumption trends 135.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating more particular details ofdata analyzer engine and classification of subscribers according toembodiments herein.

As shown, data analyzer engine 140 can include classifier resource 220and content ranking resource 240. As its name suggests, the classifierresource 220 classifies the subscribers into different subscriberclasses 222 (e.g., subscriber class 222-1, subscriber class 222-2,subscriber class 222-3, etc.) based on subscriber attribute information211 and potentially content consumption patterns associated with each ofthe subscribers.

In one embodiment, subscriber attribute information 211 indicateshistorical and/or current attributes of each respective subscriber. Forexample, the subscriber attribute information 211 can indicatehistorical information such as which channels, types of content, etc.,are typically viewed by each of the subscribers over time. Contentconsumption information 133 can include information indicating currentattribute information associated with subscribers such as recent tuningof content, channel selection, etc.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the classifier resource 220classifies each of the given subscribers based on one or more of thefollowing attributes: i) a type of playback device operated by the givensubscriber to playback content, ii) a genre of content currently orpreviously played back on the playback device operated by the givensubscriber, iii) a history of a respective type of content previouslyconsumed by the given subscriber, iv) a geographical location of thegiven subscriber in the cable network environment, v) a time of day, vi)current channel selection information, vii) past channel selectioninformation, viii) subscriber viewing habits, ix) subscriber settingsinformation, etc.

Thus, in accordance with one embodiment, for a given subscriber amongstmultiple subscribers, the classifier resource 220 can receive attributesassociated with the given subscriber. Based on the attributes (asspecified by the subscriber attribute information 211), the classifierresource 220 of data analyzer engine 140 assigns the given subscriber toan appropriate subscriber class amongst multiple subscriber classes(viewer classes). As mentioned above, classification of subscribers canbe based on any number of parameters. A given subscriber can be placedin one or more subscriber classes 222 depending on the scope of therespective subscriber's viewing habits.

The content ranking resource 240 generates content ranking information244 for each subscriber class. For example, the content ranking resource240 can be configured to receive class attribute information 221. Theclass attribute information 221 keeps track of the attributes associatedwith each of the respective subscriber classes 222. By way of anon-limiting example, the content ranking resource 240 can be configuredto use the class attribute information 221 to analyze the contentconsumption information 133 and identify the most currently consumedcontent (or most likely to be consumed content) likely to be of interestby members the respective subscriber class.

In one embodiment, the class attribute information 221 includesinformation specifying identities of subscribers in each of therespective subscriber classes 222. Additionally or alternatively, theclass attribute information can specify genres of content liked bymembers in the class, channels typically selected for viewing by themembers in the class, etc.

In one embodiment, the content ranking resource 240 utilizes theidentities of subscribers in a class as indicated by the class attributeinformation 221 to identify which available content is currently viewedby each of the members in the respective class. Such information can beused at least in part to determine which content is most relevant to theclass. The content ranking resource 240 can be configured to generatecontent rankings of content based at least in part the contentconsumption by subscriber members in the same class.

Additionally or alternatively, the content ranking resource 240 can beconfigured to generate the content ranking information 244 to indicate apopularity ranking of different content that is most likely of interestto members assigned to the respective subscriber class.

In this example embodiment, assume that the content ranking resource 240utilizes attributes associated with subscriber class 222-1 to identifycurrently consumed content (available in network environment 100) thatwould most likely be of interest to members in subscriber class 222-1.Based on such information (currently consumed content), the contentranking resource 240 generates content ranking information 244-1.

The content ranking resource 240 utilizes attributes associated withsubscriber class 222-2 to identify currently consumed content (availablein network environment 100) that would most likely be of interest tomembers in subscriber class 222-2. Based on such information (currentlyconsumed content), the content ranking resource 240 generates contentranking information 244-2.

In this manner, the content ranking resource 240 generates respectivecontent ranking information 244 for each of the subscriber classes 222.

In one embodiment, the content ranking resource 240 filters the contentconsumption feedback 155 (as stored in content consumption information133) to include relevant content selection or content consumption eventsthat occur within a predetermined moving window of time (such as thelast 5 minutes, last 15 minutes, last half hour, etc.) with respect topresent time. The content ranking resource 240 utilizes the filteredfeedback of relevant content selection events to identify the currentcontent consumption trends 135 amongst the subscriber classes.

Use of the moving window ensures that the content ranking informationgenerated for each class is kept current for corresponding streamingcontent that is currently available for consumption. In other words,content may be transmitted within a particular time slot. In such aninstance, the first several minutes of minutes of content consumptioninformation can be most useful in generating the content rankinginformation because subscribers typically decide which of the availablecontent to watch in the first few minutes of the content beingbroadcasted.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating rankings of current contentconsumption according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, the classifier resource 220 can be configuredto classify each of the multiple subscribers as being a member of one ormore of multiple subscriber classes 222. Each of the subscriber classes222 can include as few as one member. Recall that subscriber members inthe same subscriber class 222 share common attributes.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the content ranking resource 240processes the content consumption feedback 155 (stored as contentconsumption information 133) in substantially or approximately real-time(or within a recent window of time) to identify degrees of popularityassociated with different content viewed by or likely to be of interestby members in each of the subscriber classes.

For example, for each respective subscriber class 222, the contentranking resource 240 produces a popularity ranking of content selectedor recommended for possible viewing by members in the respectivesubscriber class. In this example, the content ranking resource 240identifies content (such as one or more assets) that are most likely ofinterest to a given subscriber in subscriber class 222-1. For subscriberclass 222-1, as shown, assume that the identified content includescontent X, content A, content G, content Y, etc. The content consumptioninformation 133 can include count information indicating a magnitude ofsubscribers in the class currently watch the different identifiedcontent (e.g., content X, content A, content G, content Y, . . . ).

Any suitable type of metric can be used to indicate popularity. In oneembodiment, the count information represents a percentage of members inthe corresponding subscriber class that view each of the differentavailable content.

Assume in this example embodiment that based on analyzing contentconsumption information 133, and the respective count information, thecontent ranking resource 240 identifies that content X is most popularcurrently viewed content amongst the identified content for subscriberclass 222-1; the content ranking resource 240 identifies that content Ais next most popular amongst the identified content for the class; thecontent ranking resource 240 identifies that content G is next mostpopular amongst the identified content for the class; the contentranking resource 240 identifies that content Y is next most popularamongst the identified content; and so on.

For subscriber class 222-2, assume that the identified content includescontent Z, content K, content W, content B, etc. The content consumptioninformation 133 can include count information indicating a magnitude ofsubscribers in the class currently watch the different identifiedcontent (e.g., content Z, content K, content W, content B, . . . ). Ifdesired, the count information can be presented as a percentageconsuming respective content.

Assume in this example embodiment that based on analyzing contentconsumption information 133, and the respective count information, thecontent ranking resource 240 identifies that content Z is most popularcurrently viewed content amongst the identified content for subscriberclass 222-2; the content ranking resource 240 identifies that content Kis next most popular amongst the identified content for subscriber class222-2; the content ranking resource 240 identifies that content W isnext most popular amongst the identified content for subscriber class222-2; the content ranking resource 240 identifies that content B isnext most popular amongst the identified content for subscriber class222-2; and so on.

In one embodiment, the notification resource 141 notifies subscribermembers, in a same subscriber class, of the popularity rankingassociated with different content viewed by other members in that class.For example, a subscriber may request to view a ranking orrecommendation of relevant most popularly viewed content. In response todetecting inclusion of the given subscriber in a correspondingsubscriber class, the notification resource 141 provides arecommendation to the given subscriber based on the appropriate contentranking information for the class in which the subscriber has beenassigned.

If desired, each subscriber can control which class they are placed byproviding personal information indicating desired shows they wish towatch, times of day they watch television, gender information associatedwith the subscriber, age information associated with the subscriber,etc.

In one embodiment, in accordance with the appropriate content rankinginformation, the recommendation can be configured to specify a degree ofpopularity associated with the different content currently consumed bythe multiple members in the class. For example, the notificationresource 141 can be configured to transmit content ranking information244-1 to one or more respective subscribers in subscriber class 222-1for viewing on a respective display screen; the notification resource141 can be configured to transmit content ranking information 244-2 toone or more respective subscriber in subscriber class 222-2 for viewingon a respective display screen; and so on.

Referring again to FIG. 2, note that a given subscriber can bedynamically assigned to a different class depending on current or mostrecent content selection habits. For example, the classifier resource220 can be configured to initially assign the given subscriber as beinga member of a first subscriber class 222-1 based on correspondingsubscriber attribute information 211 associated with the subscriber. Aspreviously discussed, members in the first subscriber class 222-1 sharecommon attributes. Inclusion in the first class can be based at least inpart on a currently selected channel to which the members in the sameclass are or were at least briefly tuned during the moving window.

As an example, all members in the first subscriber class 222-1 may havetuned at least briefly to view a football sports event. In response todetecting a change in subscriber attribute information 211 such as thata given subscriber initially assigned to subscriber class 222-1 changesfrom one channel (e.g., a channel broadcasting football) to anotherchannel (e.g., a channel broadcasting financial news), the classifierresource 220 can be configured to reassign the given subscriber to adifferent subscriber class such as subscriber class 222-2 of themultiple classes 222 instead of the first subscriber class 222-1. Thus,the recently detected change in viewing habits such as switchingchannels to content of a different genre may indicate that thesubscriber is no longer interested in viewing sports events. In such aninstance, the classifier resource 220 can be configured to assign therespective subscriber to a different subscriber class such as subscriberclass 222-2.

As previously discussed, the content ranking resource 240 generatesrespective content ranking information for each of the subscriberclasses 222. In this instance, because the subscriber has beenreassigned to the different subscriber class 222-2, when forwardingcontent ranking information, the notification resource 141 forwardscontent ranking information 244-2 (instead of content rankinginformation 244-1) to notify the given subscriber of most popularcontent in which the subscriber may be interested.

In this way, changes in the subscriber attribute information 211 (suchas most recent tuning habits, long term viewing habits, etc.) can beused as an aid to determine which type of content is most likely to beappealing to a subscriber at any given time. The distribution ofappropriate content ranking information 244 (depending on which of thedifferent subscriber classes the subscriber is currently assigned) helpsto ensure that the given subscriber receives most relevant contentranking information. Otherwise, the usefulness of the content rankinginformation may be diminished. In other words, if the content rankinginformation includes a ranking of all possible content available in thecable network environment, the content ranking information may not beuseful because the subscriber may not be interested in certain types ofcontent even though such content is quite popular amongst other viewers.Use of subscriber attribute information 211 to classify subscribers andgeneration of respective content ranking information provides a moretargeted ranking of content that is more likely to be of interest todifferent classes of viewers.

In addition to or as an alternative to analyzing current contentconsumption by a grouping of subscribers, embodiments herein can includeanalyzing the content consumption information 133 to detect a rate atwhich subscribers in the cable network environment switch to tuning to atarget channel to view playback of particular content. For example, inresponse to detecting that the rate of channel switching amongst aspecific group of subscribers or across all subscribers in general isabove a threshold value, the content ranking information can be updatedto indicate corresponding popular content. As discussed herein, thenotification resource 141 can be configured to provide a notificationindicating a respective popularity level of the particular contentamongst the multiple subscribers.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating display of content popularityinformation according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, a respective user in subscriber domain 150-1operates playback device 110-1. In this example embodiment, assume thatthe playback device 110-1 plays back a rendition of content 122-1 oncorresponding display screen 130-1.

Assume further in this example that the user of playback device 110-1(client device) in subscriber domain 150 is assigned to subscriber class222-1 based on an analysis as previously discussed. Assume that the userof playback device 110-2 (client device) in subscriber domain 150-1 isassigned to subscriber class 222-2 based on an analysis as previouslydiscussed. Based on habits of consuming content, the users of respectiveplayback devices are assigned to different subscriber classes.

Assume that the playback device 110-1 currently does not play back themost popular content as specified by content ranking information 244-1.In one embodiment, the playback device 110-1 receives content rankinginformation 244-1 from a resource such as notification resource 141. Theplayback device 110-1 initiates display of display information 422-1(such as a symbol, text, etc.) as an overlay onto the rendition ofcontent 122-1 (assumed to be content Y in this example).

In one embodiment, the display information 422-1 is a notificationspecifying a most popular title of content (e.g., content X) currentlyconsumed amongst the multiple subscribers in the correspondingsubscriber class 222-1. In this example, the content 122-1 may becontent Y, which is not the most popular title of content in contentranking information 244-1. Accordingly, a user of playback device 110-1can be notified if they do not playback the most popular content fortheir assigned class.

Assume that the playback device 110-2 currently does not play back themost popular content as specified by content ranking information 244-2.In one embodiment, the playback device 110-2 receives content rankinginformation 244-2 from a resource such as notification resource 141. Theplayback device 110-2 initiates display of display information 422-2(such as a symbol, text, etc.) as an overlay onto the rendition ofcontent 122-2. In one embodiment, the display information 422-2 is anotification specifying a most popular title of content (e.g., contentZ) currently consumed amongst the multiple subscribers in thecorresponding subscriber class 222-2. In this example, the content 122-2may be content K, which is not the most popular title of content incontent ranking information 244-1. Accordingly, a user of playbackdevice 110-2 can be notified if they do not playback the most popularcontent for their assigned class.

In one embodiment, the display information 422-1 is a selectable viewingoption enabling a respective user of playback device 110-1 to view themost popular content X. For example, in response to receiving selectionof the most popular title of content as specified in the displayinformation 422-1 (such as an overlay message), the playback device110-1 tunes to an appropriate channel or communicates with a appropriateserver resource in the cable network environment to retrieve the mostpopular title of content (content X) for playback on the display screen130-1. Accordingly, a user can be notified that they are not currentlywatching the most popular content in their respective assignedsubscriber class. Based on input from the user, the most popular contentcan be selected for viewing in lieu of currently played back content.

In certain instances, the content 122-1 currently played back on displayscreen 130-1 may already be the most popular content viewed for aparticular subscriber class. One embodiment herein includes providingnotification (via display information 422-1 on display screen 130-1) tothe given subscriber (user) indicating that the given subscriber iscurrently playing back a rendition of most popular selected content X.As previously discussed, the notification that the user watches the mostpopular content can be displayed as an overlay message on a smallportion of the display screen rendering content X. In one embodiment, aportion of the display screen 130-1 such as a field of 50×50 pixels isused to render display information 422-1 while a balance of the pixels(such as 1000×2000 pixels) is used to lay back original content 122-1.Accordingly, the display information 422 can be rendered in a fairlysmall portion of the display screen 130-1 so as not to hinder viewing ofcurrently played back content.

In accordance with another embodiment, a playback device 110-1 may betuned to play back first content (such as content Y) as previouslydiscussed. The playback device 110-1 or other suitable resource canreceive notification that content X is more popular for viewing amongstthe multiple subscribers in subscriber class 222-1. In response toreceiving the notification, embodiments herein include recording thecontent X in a repository accessible to the given subscriber while thegiven subscriber plays back the originally selected content Y onrespective display screen 130-1. The content X can be recorded inresponse to receiving a command while playing back the content Y.Alternatively, the user of playback device 110-1 can configure automaticrecording of the most popular content so that the user need note thatprovide input each time they receive a notification of popular content.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the top trending content maybe breaking news available on a different channel. In one embodiment,the data analyzer engine 140 can receive a corresponding textualdescription of the top trending content. The textual description can bereceived from a curator (hired by the cable network service provider ora subscriber) that views the content and creates a description. As anexample, the textual description may specify details of the breakingnews available on the alternative channel. In one embodiment, thenotification resource 141 produces a notification to a given subscriberto include an identity of the top trending content as well as thecorresponding textual description. Display of the textual descriptionenables the viewer to determine whether they would like to tune to thealternative channel to view the detected top trending content.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example computer architecture inwhich to execute any of the functionality according to embodimentsherein. Any of the different processing techniques can be implementedvia execution of software code on a computer system.

For example, as shown, computer system 550 (e.g., a computer device) ofthe present example can include an interconnect 511 that couplescomputer readable storage media 512 such as a non-transitory type ofmedia (i.e., any type of hardware storage medium) in which digitalinformation can be stored and retrieved. The computer system 550 canfurther include processor resource 513 (i.e., computer processorhardware such as one or more processor co-located or disparately locatedprocessor devices), I/O interface 514, communications interface 517,etc.

As its name suggests, I/O interface 514 provides connectivity toexternal resources such as storage devices, control devices, one or moredisplay screens, etc.

Computer readable storage medium 512 can be any hardware storage deviceto store data such as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk,etc. In one embodiment, the computer readable storage medium 512 storesinstructions and/or data.

Communications interface 517 enables the computer system 550 andprocessor resource 513 to communicate over a resource such as networks190. I/O interface 514 enables processor resource 513 to perform accessdata, control a respective display screen, receive input, etc.

As shown, computer readable storage media 512 can be encoded with dataanalyzer engine application 140-1 (e.g., software, firmware, etc.)executed by processor resource 513. Data analyzer engine application140-1 can be configured to include instructions to implement any of theoperations as discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor resource 513 accessescomputer readable storage media 512 via the use of interconnect 511 inorder to launch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform theinstructions in data analyzer engine application 140-1 stored oncomputer readable storage medium 512.

Execution of the data analyzer engine application 140-1 producesprocessing functionality such as data analyzer engine process 140-2 inprocessor resource 513. In other words, the data analyzer engine process140-2 associated with processor resource 513 represents one or moreaspects of executing data analyzer engine application 140-1 within orupon the processor resource 513 in the computer system 550.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 550can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to execute data analyzer engine application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system maybe any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, aset-top box, a mobile computer, a personal computer system, a wirelessdevice, base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook,netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer,workstation, network computer, application server, storage device, aconsumer electronics device such as a camera, camcorder, set top box,mobile device, video game console, handheld video game device, aperipheral device such as a switch, modem, router, etc., or in generalany type of computing or electronic device.

The computer system 550 may reside at any location or multiple locationsin network environment 100. The computer system 550 can be included inany suitable resource in network environment 100 to implementfunctionality as discussed herein.

Note that each of the other functions as discussed herein can beexecuted in a respective computer system based on execution ofcorresponding instructions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above. The processing in the flowcharts below canbe executed in any suitable order.

In processing block 610, the data analyzer engine 140 receives contentconsumption feedback 155 associated with delivery of content to multiplesubscribers in a cable network environment.

In processing block 620, the data analyzer engine 140 analyzes thecontent consumption feedback 155 to identify a current contentconsumption trend by the multiple subscribers in network environment100.

In processing block 630, the data analyzer engine 140 notifies a givensubscriber in the cable network environment of the current contentconsumption trend.

Referring again to FIG. 1, note that in accordance with yet furtherembodiments, the data analyzer engine 140 1 can be configured to receiveadditional types of feedback associated with consumption of content bymultiple playback devices in a cable network environment. For example, asubscriber can receive content at a corresponding location in thenetwork environment 100 under certain network operating conditions.Among other information, the feedback from the subscriber can includesubscriber-generated information such as a quality rating associatedwith the delivery. Thus, feedback can include user-generated informationsuch as whether a corresponding viewing experience was excellent, good,fair, or bad. Feedback to the data analyzer engine 140 from one or moreresources can include additional information such as status informationfrom other resources facilitating delivery of the content.

More specifically, for each of multiple content deliveries, based onreceived feedback, the data analyzer engine 140 can be configured toreceive and keep track of information such as a corresponding qualityrating (such as thumbs up, thumbs down, graded rating from one to ten,number of stars, etc.) from a respective subscriber for a given contentdelivery, a location (e.g., in home, out-of-home, mobile, etc.) of thesubscriber in the network environment 100 where the subscriber receivesthe given content delivery, a type of playback device (such as largescreen playback device, iPod™, iPad™, personal computer, phone device,etc.) used by the subscriber to receive and play back content for thegiven content delivery, bandwidth availability during the given contentdelivery, etc.

A given subscriber may wish to retrieve content from the networkenvironment 100. In one embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140 is ableto predict a level of delivery quality that may be provided by thenetwork to the given subscriber for the future content delivery. Forexample, one embodiment herein includes receiving a request for contentfrom the given subscriber. Based on analysis of the previously receivedfeedback (e.g., ratings and corresponding status information), the dataanalyzer engine 140 predicts a quality of service of streaming contentthat may be provided to the given subscriber in the subscriber domainfor the requested content delivery.

In one embodiment, to predict a delivery quality for the future deliveryof content, the data analyzer engine 140 compares attributes (such aslocation of subscriber, type of device, etc.) associated with thecurrent content request from the given subscriber and maps theattributes to attributes of previous content deliveries. Based onsubscriber-generated ratings for the previous content deliveries thatare similar to the future content delivery, the data analyzer engine 140predicts stream quality associated with delivering the requested contentto the given subscriber.

In one embodiment, the predicted stream quality information can betransmitted to the given subscriber for viewing on a respective displayscreen or playing back as audio. Accordingly, a respective user can benotified of a likely quality of content delivery they may expect toreceive while at a particular location in accordance with presentnetwork operating conditions. As mentioned, the prediction can be basedat least in part on subscribers' past experience ratings andcorresponding circumstances in which the subscribers received theprevious deliveries.

Accordingly, based on feedback from subscribers to data analyzer engine140, it is possible to learn what constitutes sufficient video streamquality from each of multiple subscribers' perspectives and predict aquality of future delivery for one or more subscribers.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, the data analyzer engine 140can be used to measure content delivery performance metrics andcorresponding viewer behavioral patterns of subscribers across networkenvironment 100. Measurements enable the data analyzer engine 140 tocorrelate delivery (quality) metrics experienced by subscribers to theircorresponding behavior. For example, the data analyzer engine 140 canreceive feedback from one or more resources in network environment 110indicating corresponding operational conditions associated with deliveryof content. For such deliveries, the data analyzer engine 140 can beconfigured to receive further behavioral based feedback indicating howthe subscriber reacted to the different deliveries. For example, asubscriber may discontinue streaming content if a respective data flowrate falls below a threshold value; a subscriber may watch an entiretyof streaming content if there are no pauses during delivery ofrespective content; and so on.

Embodiments herein can include moving beyond correlations to determinecausality such as how stream quality and other important performancemetrics affect subscriber behavior. In accordance with one embodiment,the data analyzer engine 140 or other suitable resource in networkenvironment 100 implements software (such as Quasi Experimental Design)that provides a statistical foundation for inferring causality fromobserved data. Accordingly, the data analyzer engine 140 can beconfigured to determine what causes different subscriber behavior.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating notification of popularconsumed content in a content guide according to embodiments herein.Note that the following discussion occasionally refers back to matteralso discussed in FIGS. 1 and 4 as well as potentially other figures.

In one embodiment, notification resource 141 (or other suitableresource) in network environment 100 generates a respective contentguide 750-1 to notify corresponding subscribers of available content.Subscribers initiate display of the content guide 750-1 on a respectivedisplay screen of their playback device to view availability of contenton different channels. Each channel in the content guide 750-1 canrepresent a selectable viewing option for viewing corresponding content.For example, in one embodiment, selection of a respective channel causesa media management resource to tune to the respective channel toplayback corresponding content to a user.

As shown in this example embodiment, content guide 750-1 includes apartial listing of available channels such as channel 556, channel 557,channel 558, etc. Channels can include any type of content such asbroadcast content, video on demand content, etc.

In this example embodiment, a respective row of information for eachchannel indicates names of the available content for viewing inrespective time slots. Thus, at least certain viewing options in thedisplayed content guide 750-1 correspond to available televisionchannels or content that can be selected by the subscriber for viewing.

Selection of content in content guide 750-1 can be achieved in anysuitable manner. By way of a non-limiting example, content guide 750-1as displayed on a respective display screen can include selection window760. The selection window 760 can be navigated up, down, left, right,etc., via respective arrow buttons on a control device operated by thesubscriber (user). After moving the selection window 760 to a respectiveentry in content guide 750-1, the subscriber can press a correspondingOK button or selection button on the controller device to confirm aselection.

Embodiments herein include any suitable manner of selecting respectivecontent for playback on a respective playback device.

Assume in this example that the current time is 7:01 pm. Assume furtherthat some amount of data has already been collected indicating which ofthe content on the available in channels of content guide 750-1 is morepopular than others. Via selection window 760 overlaid on a respectivecontent guide 750-1, the respective subscriber can select content to beconsumed. For example, selection of channel 556 causes the respectiveplayback device to tune to and playback content (NEWS) available onchannel 556; selection of channel 557 causes the respective playbackdevice to tune to and playback content (NFL GAME) available on channel557; selection of channel 558 causes the respective playback device totune to and playback content (SHARK ATTACK) available on channel 559;and so on.

If desired, a window region (such as row of information associated withthe hot channel) of content guide 750-1 can be dedicated to constantlydisplay corresponding HOT CHANNEL information while the group of windowregions below (such as the window region including channel 556, channel557, channel 558, channel 559, channel 560) changes depending on asegment of channels viewed by the subscriber. In other words, whiledisplaying HOT CHANNEL in a display region that is static (such as therow specified by HOT CHANNEL), the content guide 750-1 can be configuredto display any range of channels in the display region currentlydisplaying channels 556 through 560. More specifically, while row of HOTCHANNEL information is constantly displayed in content guide 750-1, theuser can move selection window 760 to view different ranges of channelssuch as channels 557 through 561, channels 557 through 572, and so on.Accordingly, the subscriber can always view display of the HOT CHANNELwhile other channels are rotated.

Note that use of time slots in content guide 750-1 is shown by way ofnon-limiting example only and that content guide 750-1 can be configuredto present any type of content such as on broadcasted content, video ondemand content, IPTV content, web data, etc. Corresponding content maybe available at any time of day.

In one embodiment, in a manner as previously discussed, the dataanalyzer engine 140 receives content consumption feedback 155 indicatingdifferent content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable networkenvironment. The data analyzer engine 140 analyzes the contentconsumption feedback 155 to identify popularity levels of differentconsumed content amongst the subscribers.

Note that a digital asset (i.e., particular content) may be available onmultiple channels. For example, a digital asset can be broadcasted on ahi-definition channel; the digital asset can be broadcasted on astandard definition channel; the digital asset can be available on avideo on demand channel; the digital asset may be available as IPTV oncorresponding data channels; etc. The consumption of a particulardigital asset can be monitored on any of one or more of the channels(IPTV channels, video on demand channels, linear channels, etc.) todetermine its respective popularity. Thus, popularity may be based onconsumption of a digital asset across multiple possible channels.

Further, in a manner as previously discussed, the data analyzer engine140 produces current content consumption trends 135 indicating whichcontent (digital asset) is more popular content than others. In thisexample, based on content consumption feedback 155, assume that the dataanalyzer engine 140 identifies that more subscribers tune to and viewthe content MOVIE ABC on the Disney channel than any other channel. Anysuitable method can be used to identify most popularly viewed channel.For example, in one embodiment, each of the subscriber domains innetwork environment 100 can transmit information indicating currentlyconsumed content to data analyzer engine 140. The data analyzer engine140 can be configured to analyze the tuning feedback from one or moresubscribers to identify which of one or more channels is most popularamongst the subscribers.

In such an instance, in this example embodiment, the notificationresource 141 produces content guide 750-1 to include multiple selectablechannels (such as channel 556, channel 557, channel 558, etc.) fromwhich content is available for retrieval over a shared communicationlink 191 in the network environment 100 (such as a cable networkenvironment). As shown and as previously discussed, the content guide750-1 can be configured to include a selectable viewing option 780(labeled as HOT CHANNEL) to view a rendition of the most popularidentified content (such as MOVIE ABC). In this example embodiment, theselectable viewing option 780 indicates which available content iscurrently the most popular content consumed amongst subscribers innetwork environment 100 at or around 7:01 pm. Unlike linear contentscheduled in respective time slots of content guide 750-1, the row ofinformation presented in HOT CHANNEL may not be known until appropriatefeedback is received indicating what content is most popular.

Assume in this example that a user operating playback device 110-1initiates display of content guide 750-1 on respective display screen130-1. In such an instance, as previously discussed, the user is able toview content guide 750-1 to identify and select available content indifferent timeslots for viewing. Assume further in this exampleembodiment that the user of playback device 110-1 moves selection window760 to the HOT CHANNEL (such as over selectable viewing option 780) asshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating notification of popularconsumed content in a content guide according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, assume that based on received feedback,MOVIE ABC on the DISNEY channel is deemed to be the most popularcontent. In response to selection of the selectable viewing option 780(HOT CHANNEL), the corresponding playback device 110-1 tunes to anappropriate channel to playback the corresponding MOVIE ABC on theDISNEY channel.

Note that in one embodiment, the shared communication link 191 can beconfigured to include a supplemental channel (such as an extra channelin a respective channel lineup) on which to transmit a copy of the mostpopular content. For example, the supplemental channel allocated inshared communication link 191 can be allocated to transmit most popularconsumed content amongst the multiple selectable channels. Duringoperation, in response to detecting that particular content (such asMOVIE ABC on DISNEY) is currently the most popular consumed content, thedistribution resource 125 can be configured to transmit a copy of themost popular consumed content on the supplemental channel. Thus,streaming content such as MOVIE ABC can be available to a respectivesubscriber on channel 560 as well as on the HOT channel.

In such an instance, selection of the selectable viewing option 780 cancause the playback device 110-1 to tune to the supplemental channel (HOTCHANNEL) to playback a copy of the most popular content. Accordingly,during the timeslot between 7 and 8 pm, the user of playback device110-1 can select the HOT CHANNEL to tune to and playback the MOVIE ABC.Alternatively, the user of playback device 110-1 can select originalchannel 560 (assigned to content provider DISNEY) to tune to and playback the MOVIE ABC.

In accordance with another embodiment, due to bandwidth constraints, itmay be undesirable to allocate a supplemental channel (extra channel) totransmit of copy of most popular content in respective timeslots. Insuch an instance, if the supplemental channel is not available orpresent in a channel lineup, the playback device 110-1 can be redirectedto tune channel 560 to view the popular content as specified by theselectable viewing option 780 (HOT CHANNEL). Accordingly, in response toreceiving user selection of the selectable viewing option 780 from thecontent guide 750-1, the playback device 110-1 can be configured to tuneto channel 560 as specified in the content guide 750-1 on which the morepopular content is available.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, display screen 130-1 (such as alarge screen television) can be a primary display screen on which arespective subscriber displays selected content. The content guide 750can be displayed on the display screen 130-1 or a disparately locateddisplay screen with respect to the primary display screen. Thedisparately located display screen can be any suitable type of resourcesuch as a (handheld) remote controller device that is used by the userviewing display screen 130-1 to make content selections and controldisplay of content on the display screen 130-1.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating notification of popularconsumed content in a content guide according to embodiments herein.

In accordance with one embodiment, the content guide 750-2 as displayedon a respective display screen 130-1 can be configured to specifymultiple instances of detected popular consumed content and/orcorresponding channels.

For example, as shown, the display region 980 can include selectableviewing options 990 (e.g., selectable viewing option 990-1, selectableviewing option 990-2, selectable viewing option 990-3, . . . )corresponding to popular viewed channels ESPN channel 557, NBC channel505, GOLF channel 729, and so on. Accordingly, via display region 980(HOT CHANNELS), the rendition of content guide 750-2 indicates thatchannel 557, channel 505, channel 729, etc., are currently most popularchannels.

In this non-limiting example embodiment, selectable viewing option 990-1enables selection of first content such as the NFL GAME on channel 557;selectable viewing option 990-2 enables selection of second content suchas NEWS on channel 505; selectable viewing option 990-3 enablesselection of third content such as PGA TOUR on channel 729; and so on.In response to receiving selection of a respective selectable viewingoption, the corresponding playback device tunes to the correspondingchannel.

In one embodiment, as shown, each of the selectable viewing optionsincludes one or more symbols specifying channel and/or contentinformation. For example, the first symbol or image “ESPN 557” inselectable viewing option 990-1 indicates a respective channel (i.e.,557) on which corresponding content NFL GAME is available; the symbol orimage “NBC 505” in selectable viewing option 990-2 indicates arespective channel (i.e., 505) on which corresponding content NEWS isavailable; and so on.

The titles of content such as “NFL GAME”, “NEWS”, etc., in therespective selectable viewing options 990 are also symbols or imagesindicating a title or identifier of corresponding content available on arespective popular channel.

Note that the selectable viewing options 990 (collectively, selectableviewing option 990-1, selectable viewing option 990-2, selectableviewing option 990-3, . . . ) in display region 980 can be rankeddepending on popularity. For example, selectable viewing option 990-1specifies a most popular channel and corresponding most popular viewedcontent; selectable viewing option 990-2 specifies a next most popularchannel and corresponding next most popular viewed content; and so on.

As previously discussed, the data analyzer engine 140 can be configuredto classify a respective subscriber depending on a type of content theylike to consume. In one embodiment, the playback device initiatesdisplay of the content guide 750-2 to display a ranking of contentassociated with a corresponding subscriber class to which the subscriberis assigned.

In accordance with further embodiments, a user operating playback device110-1 can select amongst the HOT CHANNELS selectable viewing options 990to initiate playback of corresponding content. For example, assume thatthe user selects selectable viewing option 990-2. This channel and/orcontent selection can be achieved in any suitable manner such as movingselection window 760 over a respective selectable viewing option andpressing a respective OK button on a remote control device.

In this example embodiment, in response to receiving selection of theselectable viewing option 990-2 from display region 980 in content guide750-2, the playback device 110-1 tunes to channel 505 for playback ofrespective content NEWS on display screen 130-1.

As discussed herein, content can be available via IPTV or other suitableprotocol. In certain instances, tuning to a respective channel caninclude communicating with an appropriate server resource in networkenvironment 100 to retrieve the content over a packet-switched network.The server resource transmits the content as data packets. The datapackets include a network address of the requesting playback device tofacilitate delivery.

The content (such as digital assets) deemed most popular and included inthe hot channels (identities of which are displayed in display region980) may be available for retrieval from multiple different channels.For example, a particular digital asset as referenced by the hotchannels may be retrievable from a first hi-definition channel; theparticular digital asset as referenced by the hot channel may beretrievable from a second standard-definition channel; the digital assetas referenced by the hot channel may be retrievable from a video ondemand channel; etc. These different viewing options can be madeavailable to a viewer such that the viewer is able to select amongstdifferent possible sources to playback content deemed to be mostpopular.

As a further example, after determining most popular one or more digitalassets, the respective content guide 750-2 can be configured to includemultiple viewing options for selection by a respective user to view themost popular digital asset, but from different channels. As an example,an NFL game such as the Superbowl game may be deemed the most populardigital asset. The NFL game may be available on channel 557 (such asESPN), channel 505 (such as NBC), video on demand channel 765, and soon.

In accordance with the above example, embodiments herein can includeproducing display region 980 to include a selectable viewing option foreach channel on which the NFL game is available for viewing such thatthe viewer can select amongst multiple different channels to view thepopular content. In other words, a user can select a first selectableviewing option 990-1 in the hot channel display region of the contentguide to view the NFL game (digital asset) on channel 557; a user canselect a second selectable viewing option 990-2 in the hot channeldisplay region of the content guide to view the NEWS (digital asset) onchannel 505; a user can select a third selectable viewing option in thehot channel display region of the content guide to view Golf game onchannel 729; and so on. Accordingly, embodiments herein can includedisplaying multiple channels on which the most popular digital asset isavailable for retrieval.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of popular consumedcontent by genre according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, a respective user viewing content guide 750-3on display screen 130-1 can provide appropriate input to move selectionwindow 760 around content guide 750-3 (such as up and down column ofchannels) to specify a channel of interest. In one embodiment, theranking of popular content in display region 1080 varies depending on arespective channel in the selection window 760.

For example, the user can navigate the selection window 760 over channel558 as shown. In response to detecting selection window 760 over channel558, the playback device 110-1 identifies a genre in which the selectedcontent (FLYING MACHINES) resides. As previously discussed, the dataanalyzer engine 140 can be configured to process received feedback 155and identify alternative channels broadcasting content in the same genreas the selected channel. Based on ranking information produced by dataanalyzer engine 140 for the genre, the playback device 110-1 identifiesa ranking of other available content in the particular genre. In thisexample embodiment, WW2: Airplanes and Flying Machines, etc., fallwithin the same genre.

In this example, the content guide 750-3 displays multiple selectableviewing options in display region 1080 including selectable viewingoption 1010-1, selectable viewing option 1010-2, and so on. Selectableviewing option 1010-2 represents the content FLYING MACHINES on channel558, and indicates that such content is a second most popular content ina respective ranking of currently viewed content amongst subscribers inthat genre. In this example embodiment, selectable viewing option 1010-1represents the content WW2 AIRPLANES on channel 634, and indicates thatsuch content is a first most popular content in a respective ranking ofcurrently viewed content amongst subscribers in that genre. Thus, asubscriber can view identities of content from competing serviceproviders. For example, a first content service provider (Smithsonianchannel) supplies content on channel 634; a second content serviceprovider (History channel) supplies content on channel 558; and so on.

In this example, the user viewing content guide 760 may initially beinterested in viewing content FLYING MACHINES. Hence, the user maynavigate selection window 760 over channel 558 in content guide 750-3.However, after review of the ranking of content in the genre in whichFLYING MACHINES resides (as specified by HOT CHANNEL information indisplay region 1080), the user may decide to view channel 634 (viaselection of selectable viewing option 1010-1) instead of channel 558because the content WW2 AIRPLANES appears to be more interesting or morepopular to the viewer. As discussed herein, note again that popularitycan be based on current consumption, previous consumption of aparticular program, or a combination of both.

Assume in this example that the user operating playback device 110-1 andviewing content guide 750-3 moves the selection window 760 over channel559 as shown in FIG. 11. Content available on channel 559 is a differentgenre than the genre of content on channel 558.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating a ranking of popular consumedcontent by genre according to embodiments herein.

As shown in FIG. 11, the user can navigate the selection window 760 overchannel 559. In response to detecting selection window 760 over channel559, the playback device 110-1 identifies a genre in which the selectedchannel/content (SHARK ATTACK) resides. Based on ranking informationproduced by data analyzer engine 140 for the genre, the playback device110-1 identifies a ranking of other available content in the respectivegenre associated with the current channel SHARK ATTACK.

In this example, the content guide 750-3 displays multiple selectableviewing options in display region 1180 including selectable viewingoption 1110-1, selectable viewing option 1110-2, and so on.

Selectable viewing option 1110-1 (most popular content in the genre)represents the content SHARK ATTACK on channel 559, and indicates thatsuch content is first most popular content in a respective ranking ofcurrently viewed content amongst subscribers in that genre. Selectableviewing option 1110-2 represents the content WHALES OF THE ARCTIC onchannel 656, and indicates that such content is second most popularcontent in a respective ranking of currently viewed content amongstsubscribers in that genre. Display region 1180 can include any number ofselectable viewing options 1110.

Based on browsing the content guide 750-3, the user viewing contentguide 760 may initially be interested in viewing content SHARK ATTACK.However, after review of the ranking of content in the genre in whichSHARK ATTACK resides (as specified by selectable viewing options 1110 indisplay region 1180), the user may decide to tune to and view channel656 (via selection of selectable viewing option 1110-2) instead ofchannel 559 because the content WHALES OF THE ARCTIC appears to be moreinteresting to the viewer, even though it happens to be less popular.

Thus, a ranking of content may also be useful for displaying to arespective user so that the user is informed of channels on whichsimilar types of content is available even though a user does not alwaysselect most popular ranked content.

In one embodiment, the content guide 750-3 includes selectable viewingoption 1130-1. Selection of the selectable viewing option 1130-1 enablesthe respective user to view popular content by different genres as shownin FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of popular consumedcontent by genre according to embodiments herein.

In response to appropriate input such as receiving selection ofselectable viewing option 1130-1 from content guide 750-3 (or othersuitable selectable viewing option displayed on display screen 130-1) inFIG. 11, the playback device 110-1 can be configured to initiate displayof display information 1222 (FIG. 12) including identities of popularcurrently consumed by genre.

Note that if sufficient space is available in content guide 750-3 todisplay extra information, then the display information 1222 can bedisplayed in a respective display region of content guide 750-3.

Alternatively, if there is insufficient space available in content guide750-3, the display information 1222 can be displayed in lieu of or as anoverlay display notification with respect to the content guide 750-3.Thus, as an alternative to presenting a listing of popular content in arespective content guide, embodiments herein can include displayingpopular content by different genres.

In this example embodiment, sports genre 1230-1 includes window region1210-1, window region 1210-2, etc., to display information (such ascontent identity information, channel information from whichcorresponding content can be retrieved, etc.) associated with currentlypopular consumed content pertaining to the sports genre; history genre1230-2 includes window region 1211-1, window region 1211-2, etc., todisplay information or identities associated with currently popularconsumed content pertaining to history genre; drama genre 1230-3includes window region 1212-1, window region 1212-2, etc., to displayinformation or identities associated with currently popular consumedcontent pertaining to drama; and so on.

Each window region can be configured to display information associatedwith corresponding ranked content. For example, window region 1210-1 canbe configured to display an identity (such as images, text, symbols, . .. ) associated with first most popular (currently consumed) content inthe sports genre 1230-1; window region 1210-2 can be configured todisplay an identity (such as images, text, . . . ) associated withsecond most popular (currently consumed) content in the sports genre1230-1; and so on.

Window region 1211-1 can be configured to display an identity (such asimages, text, . . . ) associated with first most popular (currentlyconsumed) content in the history genre 1230-2; window region 1211-2 canbe configured to display an identity (such as images, text, . . . )associated with second most popular (currently consumed) content in thehistory genre 1230-2; and so on.

Window region 1212-1 can be configured to display an identity (such asimages, text, . . . ) associated with first most popular (currentlyconsumed) content in the drama genre 1230-3; window region 1212-2 can beconfigured to display an identity (such as images, text, . . . )associated with second most popular (currently consumed) content in thedrama genre 1230-3; and so on.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, as a possible alternative toplaying back static images associated with popular content in respectivewindow regions, embodiments herein can include playing back a streamingrendition of corresponding content in each window. For example, thestreaming content can be a short clip or trailer representing thecontent available on a respective channel (as represented by the windowregion). Alternatively, the streaming content displayed in respectivewindow regions can be actual renditions of the content currentlytransmitted on a corresponding channel.

More specifically, window region 1210-1 can be configured to display andplay back a rendition of first most popular content in genre 1230-1 ascurrently available on channel 557; window region 1210-2 can beconfigured to display and play back a rendition of second most popularcontent in genre 1230-1 as currently available on channel 692; and soon.

Window region 1211-1 can be configured to display and play back arendition of first most popular content in genre 1230-2 as currentlyavailable on channel 634; window region 1211-2 can be configured todisplay and play back a rendition of second most popular content ingenre 1230-2 as currently available on channel 558; and so on.

Window region 1212-1 can be configured to display and play back arendition of first most popular content in genre 1230-3 as currentlyavailable on channel 456; window region 1212-2 can be configured todisplay and play back a rendition of second most popular content ingenre 1230-3 as currently available on channel 467; and so on.

Note that the audio portion associated with simultaneous play back ofdifferent streaming content (moving images) in display information 1222may conflict with each other. In one embodiment, display information1222 includes selection window 1260 navigated about the display screen130-1 to select respective content.

By way of a non-limiting example, movement of the selection window 1260over window region 1210-1 can cause the playback device 110-1 toplayback audio associated with content played back in window region1210-1 while audio associated with all other window regions is muted soas not to interfere with the audio associated with the rendition ofcontent played back in currently selected window region 1210-1.

Subsequent movement of the selection window 1260 over window region1210-2 (as shown) causes the playback device 110-1 to playback audioassociated with content played back in window region 1210-2 while audioassociated with all other window regions is muted so as not to interferewith the audio associated with the rendition of content played back inwindow region 1210-2.

In this manner, a respective use of a playback device can view andlisten to audio associated with different content amongst the differentgenres.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the corresponding playbackof content associated with a window region may not be activated until arespective user navigates the selection window 1260 over a respectivewindow region. For example, in response to the user navigating theselection window 1260 over window region 1210-2, the playback device110-1 initiates playback of a trailer or current content on channel 692while all other window regions display only respective static images.

Thereafter, in response to the user navigating the selection window 1260over window region 1211-2, the playback device 110-1 initiates playbackof a corresponding trailer or current content associated with channel558, while all other window regions display only respective staticimages.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the user can navigate the selectionwindow 692 to sample viewing of different content.

In one embodiment, playback of the currently selected content in eachwindow region as selected by the selection window 1260 can includeinitially playing back a low-resolution rendition of the correspondingcontent. For example, as previously discussed window region 1210-1 (whenselected by selection window 1260) can be configured to playback alow-resolution rendition of content currently transmitted in accordancewith a high resolution format on channel 557; window region 1210-2 (whenselected by selection window 1260) can be configured to playback alow-resolution rendition of content currently transmitted in accordancewith a high resolution format on channel 692; window region 1211-1 (whenselected by selection window 1260) can be configured to playback alow-resolution rendition of content currently transmitted in accordancewith a high resolution format on channel 634; window region 1210-2 (whenselected by selection window 1260) can be configured to playback alow-resolution rendition of content currently transmitted in accordancewith a high resolution format on channel 558; and so on.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the images displayed inrespective window regions 1210, 1211, 1212, etc., initially can be stillimages from corresponding video. Selection of a window region via 1210-2can cause the video to playback in the selection window while otherwindow regions display still images representative of available video.Alternatively, each of the videos can be played back simultaneously inwindow regions 1210, 1211, 1212, etc.

Eventually, the user of playback device 110-1 will identify content thathe/she wishes to view in full resolution. Assume in this exampleembodiment that the user provides input selecting to view the content inwindow region 1210-1 in a higher resolution. This can be achieved by anysuitable action such as selecting an OK button on a remote controller.

In such an instance, in response to receiving selection of the windowregion and play back of corresponding content identified in windowregion 1210-2, the playback device 110-1 tunes to the correspondingchannel 692. Subsequent to tuning, the playback device 110-1 initiatesdisplay of a substantially full screen playback rendition of theselected content on channel 692 on the display screen 130-1. Asmentioned, the substantially full screen rendition of the content onchannel 692 can be displayed in accordance with a resolution (highdefinition resolution) that is substantially greater than a resolutionof content displayed in the window region 1210-1 (which is a lowresolution sample).

Note that embodiments are not limited to selecting and displayingpopular content available only on linear channels. The content deemedmost popular may be stored in a repository. The user may select playbackof the content from the repository.

In certain instances, such as in linear television, determining whatcontent will be most popular content in a current time slot is notpossible until after some amount of time such as one or more minutes ofthe content is available for selection by viewers in a time slot. Inaccordance with one embodiment, if no history of consumption isavailable for a respective digital asset (new content) to be madeavailable for the first time, the hot channel initially can display apopularity of the same show based on consumption of the show in aprevious week. For example, historical information can indicate that aparticular sitcom X on a corresponding channel was the most popularcontent in the previous week for a given timeslot such as between 8:00and 9:00 pm on Wednesday night. In response to detecting that the sitcomX was most popular last week on Wednesday night between 8:00 and 9:00pm, between 7:55 pm and 8:00 pm (before it is known whether this week'sshow will be popular) of the current night, the content guide indicatesthat the sitcom X will most likely be the most popular content at 8 pmon Wednesday based on only the historical information.

After 8:00 pm, embodiments herein include receiving feedback indicatingwhich of the content is most popular amongst viewers. Eventually, sometime on or after 8:00 pm, collected consumption data can indicate thatsitcom Y is most popular this week instead of sitcom X. After a segmentof time such as a minute or two, assuming that sitcom Y is determined asbeing most popular this week, the content guide can be updated toindicate that sitcom Y is most popular instead of sitcom X (even thoughsitcom X was most popular last week). Thus, embodiments herein caninclude making an initial guess as to what content is to be the popularand then providing an indication of actual most popular content afterresults are analyzed.

Further embodiments herein can include weighting historical contentconsumption information of most popular content with current receivedconsumption information to determine what content to indicate as mostpopular in a respective content guide. For example, as mentioned, upuntil 8:00 pm, the content guide can initially indicate that sitcom Xwill be most popular content because no data is available for theupcoming timeslot between 8 and 9 pm. Thus, content popularity isheavily weighted toward a previous week of content consumption. After8:00 pm, more and more data is received indicating popularity of contentfor the current night and time slot. In one embodiment, such as at 8:02pm, the popularity of content can be based more heavily on the currentdetected content consumption (such as last two minutes between 8:00 and8:02 pm) as opposed to basing popularity on a previous week of contentconsumption.

More specifically, before 8:00 pm, historical data is used to identifywhat likely will be most popular. Between 8:00 pm and 8:02, embodimentsherein can include varying the weight from historical contentconsumption to current content consumption. For example, at 8:01 pm, thecontent guide can use on 50% of the historical content consumptioninformation (such as from a previous week) and 50% of current contentconsumption information (such as a tally of content consumptioninformation collected between 8:00 pm and 8:01 pm) to determine the mostpopular show. Thus, at 8:01 pm, the most popular channel as indicated bythe content guide can be based on a weighting of the historical contentconsumption information as well as a weighting of the current contentconsumption information. As mentioned, before 8 pm, the most popularcontent as indicated by content guide can be based 100% on contentconsumption in the previous week. After 8:02 pm, the most popularcontent as indicated by content guide can be based 100% on currentcontent consumption after 8 pm.

Any suitable variation of weighting old content consumption informationand new content consumption information is possible between 8:00 pm and8:02 pm in this example. Also, the two-minute time span of varyingweights of content consumption information is shown by way ofnon-limiting example only.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating a method of providingnotification of content popularity in a content guide according toembodiments herein.

In processing block 1310, the data analyzer engine 140 receives contentconsumption feedback 155 indicating different content currently consumedby subscribers in a cable network environment.

In processing block 1320, the data analyzer engine 140 analyzes thecontent consumption feedback 150 to identify most popular consumedcontent amongst the different available content.

In processing block 1330, the data analyzer engine 140 produces acontent guide 750 to include multiple selectable channels from whichcontent is available for retrieval over shared communication link 191-1in the cable network environment. The content guide 750 includes aselectable viewing option to view a rendition of more popular consumedcontent. In one embodiment, the selectable viewing option in the contentguide 750 indicates the most popular content consumed by subscribers asindicated by content consumption feedback 155.

In processing block 1340, the data analyzer engine 140 initiates displayof the content guide 750 on a respective display screen such as displayscreen 130-1.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating a method of providingnotification of popularly consumed content according to embodimentsherein.

In processing block 1410, the data analyzer engine 140 receives contentconsumption feedback 110-1 indicating content currently consumed bysubscribers in a cable network environment.

In processing block 1420, the data analyzer engine 140 ranks thecurrently consumed content (as specified by the content consumptionfeedback 155) according to popularity.

In processing block 1430, the data analyzer engine 140 initiatesdistribution of selected content to a given subscriber in the cablenetwork environment. The given subscriber plays back a rendition of theselected content on a display screen such as display screen 130-1.

In processing block 1440, the playback device 110-1 initiates display ofan overlay notification (such as via display information 422, displayinformation 1222, etc.) on the rendition of the selected content. In oneembodiment, the notification indicates popular content in the ranking.The popular content can be different than the selected content currentlyplayed back on the display screen 130-1. Accordingly, a respectivesubscriber operating device 110-1 can be notified of most popularcontent while playing back other content.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, a respective playback device110-1 initiates display of a notification on the display screen inresponse to detecting that previously selected content currently playedback on the display screen 130-1 is not the most popular content asindicated by the ranking. For example, the rendition of contentcurrently displayed on display screen 130-1 may not be the most popularcontent. The overlay notification on currently displayed content canindicate that another channel, data stream, title of content, etc., isthe most popular currently consumed content in a network. In response toselection of a selectable viewing option in the overlay notification,the device 110-1 can tune to the most popular content.

Accordingly, as previously discussed, a respective subscriber can benotified that the content they selected for playback is not the mostpopular currently consumed content in a network environment.

Referring again to FIG. 1, note that embodiments herein can includeautomatically storing popular content in resource 117-1 (or othersuitable resource internal or external with respect to subscriber domain150-1) even though the respective subscriber (e.g., one or more usersoperating devices 110) in subscriber domain 150-1 do not currentlyselect and play back most popular content.

For example, resource 117-1 (or other suitable storage resource) caninclude a digital video recorder and corresponding repository to storestreaming content available over shared communication link 191. Theresource 117-1 can include multiple tuner circuits to tune to differentchannels of streaming content available over shared communication link191. In one example embodiment, while the user tunes to and plays backcontent identified as being less popular content, the resource 117stores popular content available on one or more channels designated asbeing HOT CHANNELS.

More specifically, the user of device 110-1 can provide input toresource 117-1 to select and tune to a first channel. In response toreceiving the input, the resource 117-1 tunes a first tuner in theresource 117-1 to the first selected channel as received over sharedcommunication link 191 for playback of content on display screen 130-1of device 110-1. The first channel can be any suitable type of channelsuch as a broadcast channel (e.g., a linear television channel), videoon demand channel, etc. While the user views less popular content ondevice 110-1, the resource 117-1 can receive input from notificationresource 141 indicating which content available to subscriber domain150-1 is popular consumed content by other subscribers in shared network190-3.

In such an instance, in response to receiving the notification of mostpopular consumed content (such as notification of one or more HOTCHANNELS) in network 190-3, the resource 117-1 tunes one or more unusedtuners to the hot channels and initiates storage of the streamingcontent on one or more of the hot channels in a respective repository.

While the user views corresponding unpopular content on display screen130-1, the resource 117-1 (or other suitable resource) can be configuredto provide a respective notification on display screen 130-1 to indicatethat the currently viewed content from the first tuner circuit is notthe most popular content. If the user of device 110-1 decides to viewthe most popular content (in lieu of the currently viewed less popularcontent), the user inputs an appropriate command to view portions ofstored streaming content from the hot channel. In one embodiment, inresponse to receiving the command to switch to playback of the morepopular content, the resource 117-1 streams the more popular contentstored in a respective resource such as a digital video recorder todevice 110-1.

Accordingly, one or more unused tuners in resource 117-1 can be used totune and store most popular consumed content on one or more availablehot channels (i.e., channels that convey most popular content). Thedevice 110-1 can then switch to playback of the stored hot channelcontent (in lieu of viewing the less popular content on the first tunercircuit) by providing appropriate control input.

In one embodiment, in response to receiving input to playback the storedhot channel content, the resource 117-1 initiates playback of the hotchannel content from the beginning of the respective data stream. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 7, the user may select channel 558 to viewflying machines on the HISTORY™ broadcast channel between 7 PM and 7:15PM. The first tuner in resource 117-1 tunes to channel 558 in sharedcommunication link 191-1 and forwards such content to device 110-1 forplayback.

At 7:02 PM, the resource 117-1 can receive notification that the movieABC on channel 560 is the most popular available content (see FIG. 7).If the resource 117-1 is configured to automatically store hot channelcontent, in response to receiving the notification that movie ABC onchannel 560 is the most popular content, the resource 117-1 uses a tunerto automatically tune to channel 560 and record the correspondingcontent movie ABC. Thus, content available on a respective hot channelcan be recorded even though it is not currently selected for immediateplayback on display screen 130-1 of device 110-1.

Assume that a user operating device 110-1 decides to view the movie ABCon the hot channel. In one embodiment, the user views content guide ator around 7:15 PM and selects viewing option 780 (in FIG. 7). Inresponse to the selection, the resource 117-1 initiates playback of themovie ABC from the beginning. That is, the resource 117-1 streams thestored content from appropriate storage. Accordingly, even though theuser decides to switch to the hot channel midstream of playing backrespective content in a timeslot (such as after a portion of the popularcontent has been broadcasted), the user is able to watch the mostpopular content from the beginning.

FIG. 23 is an example diagram illustrating storage of popular content ina repository during streaming and playback of less popular consumedcontent according to embodiments herein.

As shown, one embodiment herein includes storing popular content in arepository while a respective subscriber views less popular content. Forexample, a resource 117-1 (such as a media management resource) can beconfigured to tune to a respective channel selected by user 108-1 toretrieve stream of content #1. The selected channel on which stream ofcontent #1 is available may be one of multiple channels received overshared communication link 191. Subsequent to applying appropriateprocessing such as decryption, decoding, etc., resource 117-1 transmitsstream of content #1 to device 110-1 for playback.

Resource 117-1 can be configured to monitor current content consumptiontrends 135 as produced by data analyzer engine 140 to detect popularstreamed content available over shared communication link 191. Forexample, assume in this example embodiment that current contentconsumption trends 135 indicates that stream of content #2 is mostpopular consumed content amongst viewers in network 190-3.

In response to receiving the notification of most popular content, theresource 117-1 initiates storage of the stream of content #2 inrepository 180-1 (or possibly remote repository 180-2 in FIG. 1) forsubsequent selective playback on the playback device 110-1. Accordingly,a user 108-1 operating device 110-1 can select unpopular content such asstream of content #1 for playback.

Note that the user 108-1 may not be aware of the availability of streamof content #2 or that such content is most popular amongst currentviewers. During playback of the stream of content #1 (less popularcontent in this example), the resource 117-1 can be configured toinitiate display of a message on display screen 130-1 of the playbackdevice 110-1. The message can indicate the availability of the stream ofcontent #2 for playback from a local or remote storage resource (such asa digital video recorder). By way of a non-limiting example, thedisplayed message can indicate that the second content available to theuser is more popular than the first content displayed on thecorresponding display screen 130-1. Accordingly, a subscriber can beapprised that they are not watching most popular consumed content.

After learning that stream of content #2 is popular content, the user108-1 operating the playback device 110-1 may generate a request to playback the stream of content #2 (i.e., content stored in repository 180-1in response to detecting that it is popular content) on the playbackdevice 110-1 instead of playing back the stream of content #1. In oneembodiment, in response to receiving a request from a user 108-1 of theplayback device 110-1 to switch to playback the stream of content #2:the resource 117-1 discontinues playback of the stream of content #1 ondisplay screen 130-1 of the playback device 110-1. The resource 117-1then initiates streaming of the stream of content #2 from repository180-1 to the playback device 110-1.

In one embodiment, the resource 117-1 automatically starts playing backthe stream of content #2 (such as a video data stream) from thebeginning such that the user 108-1 can view an entirety of the stream ofcontent #2. The resource 117-1 can continue storing any remainder of thestream of content #2 (as it is broadcasted over shared communicationlink 191) into repository 180-1 if the user 108-1 happens to selectstream of content #2 as it is concurrently being stored in repository180-1. Accordingly, via anticipatory storage of popular stream ofcontent #2 in repository 180-1, the user 108-1 is provided access tobest possible content.

As previously discussed, each of multiple users in a respective networkenvironment 100 can be monitored to determine which content is mostdesirable for viewing by a respective user. The best possible content orthe content deemed to be most popular can be content in a particulargenre or profile in which the user has been assigned. Accordingly, whatis deemed most popular content may be different for each of multipleusers depending on their consumption profile. In one embodiment, theresource 117-1 receives notification of content that is deemed popularamongst subscribers that fall within a particular viewing profile inwhich the subscriber such as user 108-1 is assigned.

By way of further non-limiting example, the stream of content #1 andstream of content #2 can be simultaneously transmitted over the sharedcommunication link 191 to resource 117-1. For example, the stream ofcontent #1 may be available to subscribers in network 190-3 on a firstbroadcast channel of shared communication link 191; the stream ofcontent #2 may be available to subscribers in network 190-3 on a secondbroadcast channel of shared communication link 191; and so on. Thestream of content #1 and stream of content #2 may be available in thesame or substantially the same time slot.

In one embodiment, the stream of content #2 can be received over the hotchannel, which broadcasts most popular content to multiple subscribers.As discussed above, it may require a minute or two of time afterinitially streaming content in a time slot to determine what content ismost consumed by subscribers in the respective network environment 100.If desired, any suitable amount of time such as a minute or two can beused to delay transmission of respective content over the designated hotchannel.

More specifically, as previously discussed, Movie ABC can be transmittedover a respective channel between the time segment 7 PM and 8 PM. Afterappropriate analyzing amongst channels, the data analyzer engine 140 mayproduce content consumption information indicating that Movie ABC is themultiple most popular available content at or around 7:01 PM.

In response to detecting that the movie ABC is most popular, thedistribution resource 125 can be configured to transmit the Movie ABCover a designated broadcast channel (such as the hot channel) to viewersin network 190-3. Because of the delay in determining the most popularcontent, the hot channel can transmit movie ABC in its entirety between7:01 and 8:01 PM. In other words, the hot channel can be configured tobroadcast the same movie ABC as channel 560 to subscribers over sharedcommunication link 191, but the content in the hot channel (supplementalchannel) can be delayed by a minute or two with respect to the movie ABCplayed back on channel 560 between 7 and 8 PM (see FIG. 7).

As mentioned, the hot channel (i.e., a supplemental channel in a channellineup) can be configured to transmit the most popular content for eachof multiple channels. For example, the hot channel can play back mostpopular content movie ABC between 7:01 and 8:01 PM (e.g., a delay ofmove ABC available in time slot 7-8 PM on channel 560); assuming thatKlondike Gold is the most popular content in time segment 8-9 PM asdetected around 8:01 PM, the hot channel can be configured to play backmost popular content Klondike Gold between 8:01 and 9:01 PM (e.g., adelay of Klondike Gold available in time slot 8-9 PM on channel 559);and so on.

In one embodiment, resource 117-1 tunes to the hot channel and storesmovie ABC (such as stream of content #2) in repository 180-1 for laterretrieval while user 108-1 initiates playback of stream of content #1 onthe device 110-1.

If desired, the resource 117-1 can be configured to continuously recordthe content transmitted on the hot channel so that the user 108-1 doesnot miss the ability to view popular content. If storage is limited, oldcontent can be overwritten with newly received streaming content overthe hot channel.

FIG. 24 is an example diagram illustrating a method of implementingstorage of content based on popularity according to embodiments herein.

In processing block 2410, the resource 117-1 receives first content(such as stream of content #1) over a shared communication link 191 in anetwork environment 100.

In processing block 2420, the resource 117-1 initiates playback of thefirst content on playback device 110-1.

In processing block 2430, the resource 117-1 receives notification suchas current content consumption trends 135, popularity rankinginformation, etc. The notification can be generated based on detectingthat popularity of second content (such as stream of content #2)available over the shared communication link 191 is popular above athreshold value in a respective popularity ranking. As previouslydiscussed, resource 117-1 can be configured to store content that isdeemed to be more popular above a threshold value as specified bycontent consumption trending information.

In processing block 2440, in response to receiving the notification, theresource 117-1 initiates storage of the second content (such as streamof content #2) in a repository 180-1 (or other suitable resource) forsubsequent selective playback on the device 110-1 via input from user108-1.

In accordance with further embodiments, note that multiple channels ofcontent can be recorded in the cloud (or at another suitable location ina subscriber domain) without knowing in advance whether or notcorresponding channels will convey the most popular content.

For example, FIG. 25 is an example diagram illustrating modification ofrecording multiple streams of content based on popularity rankinginformation according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, content storage manager 2510 resides in anysuitable location in network environment 100. The content storagemanager 2510 initially stores a number of available streams of content(such as stream of content #1, stream of content #2, stream of content#3, stream of content #4, etc.) available over shared communication link191 in a respective repository 180-2. As discussed herein, the contentstorage manager 2510 modifies recording of the streams of contentdepending on popularity ranking information 2535 as derived from currentcontent consumption trends 135. For example, in one embodiment, thecontent storage manager 2510 can be configured to cancel certainrecordings of content depending on popularity of the respective content.

More specifically, in one embodiment, content storage manager 2510 innetwork environment 100 receives a set of multiple streams of contentsuch as stream of content #1, stream of content #2, stream of content#3, etc.). In one non-limiting example embodiment, the streams ofcontent are the same content transmitted on channels of sharedcommunication link 191 and are thus selectable for viewing by respectivesubscribers. Initially, the content management resource 2510 initiatesstorage of the set of multiple streams of content (e.g., stream ofcontent #1, stream of content #2, stream of content #3, stream ofcontent #4, etc.) in a respective repository 180-2 as shown inanticipation that at least one of the multiple streams of content willbe detected as being popular amongst viewers.

In one embodiment, assume that the multiple streams of content aresimultaneously transmitted streams (over respective channels of sharedcommunication link 191) in a scheduled time slot such as between 7 and 8PM.

Because storage capacity in repository 180-2 may be limited, it may notbe desirable to store an entirety of every possible stream of content.In one example embodiment, based on popularity ranking information 2535indicating a popularity of the multiple streams of content amongstsubscribers in network environment 100, the content management resource2510 discontinues storage of less popular content such as at least oneof but fewer-than-all of the streams of content in the set of originallyrecorded content.

As a more specific example, the set of multiple streams of content caninclude stream of content #1, stream of content #2, stream of content#3, and so on. Because it may not be known yet whether content will bepopular or not at an outset of recording the streams of content inrepository 180-2, the content management resource 2510 obtains andstores initial portions of the stream of content #1 in the repository180-2; the content management resource 2510 stores initial portions ofthe stream of content #2 in the repository 180-2; the content managementresource 2510 stores initial portions of the stream of content #3 in therepository 180-2; the content management resource 2510 stores initialportions of the stream of content #4 in the repository 180-2; and so on.The content storage manager 2510 can be configured to start storage ofcontent at the beginning or start of the respective streams when theyare initially broadcasted such as at 7 PM.

Via popularity ranking information 2535 received at or around 7:01 pm,assume that the content storage manager 2310 detects that stream ofcontent #4 is the most popular viewed content with 375,000 subscriberstuned to playback stream of content #4; assume that the content storagemanager 2510 detects that stream of content #2 is the second mostpopular viewed content with 362,000 subscribers tuned to playback streamof content #2; and so on.

Assume that relatively few subscribers tune to stream of content #1 andstream of content #2 in this example. Accordingly, stream of content #1and stream of content #3 represent less popular content.

At or around time 7:01 PM, in response to detecting that a magnitude ofthe viewers (subscribers) in the network environment 100 selecting thestream of content #1 and #3 for playback in a scheduled time slot issubstantially less than a magnitude of the viewers (subscribers) in thenetwork environment 100 selecting the stream of content #2 and #4 forplayback in the scheduled time slot, the content management resource2510 discontinues storage of the stream of content #1 and #3(non-popular content) in repository 180-2 by canceling the recording ofstream of content #1 and stream of content #3. Because the contentstorage manager 2310 detects that stream of content #2 and stream ofcontent #4 are popular content (potentially above a threshold popularityvalue), the content storage manager 2510 continues to store thesestreams of content in repository 180-2 as shown.

Thus, the content management resource 2510 can be sure to store morepopular content in repository 180-2 (or other suitable resource) withoutknowing in advance which of the content to be broadcasted will be mostpopular.

Note that subsequent to storage of at least a portion of a respectivepopular stream of content, the subscribers can access the repository atany point (such as from the beginning up to a current point of recordinglinear content) in the data stream. The subscribers therefore haveaccess to most popular content. In this example embodiment, storagecapacity is not wasted because an entirety of only popular content isstored for retrieval by respective subscribers. That is, as mentioned,storage of certain less popular streams of content is canceled.

Note that the repository 180-2 can be disposed at any suitable locationsuch as in the network environment 100 at a remote location with respectto subscriber domains 150 in which the viewers reside. As shown, contentdistribution manager 2520 provides the subscriber domains access to therepository 180-2 over shared communication link 191.

FIG. 26 is an example diagram illustrating a method of storing contentin a repository according to embodiments herein.

In processing block 2610, the content storage manager 2510 receives aset of multiple streams of content.

In processing block 2620, the content storage manager 2510 initiatesstorage of the set of multiple streams of content in repository 180-2.

In processing block 2630, based on popularity ranking information 2535indicating a popularity of the multiple streams of content amongstviewers in a network environment 100, the content storage manager 2510selectively discontinues storage of at least one of but fewer-than-allof the streams of content in the set.

FIG. 27 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of multiplestreams of content in an allocated hot channel according to embodimentsherein.

As previously discussed, embodiments herein can include identifying morepopular content (such as content retrieved via video on demand or othersuitable channels) consumed in a respective network environment 100 andthen making the popular content available in a linear playback channel.

For example, as mentioned, data analyzer engine 140 can be configured tomonitor consumption of multiple streams of content amongst multiplesubscribers in a network environment 100. In a manner as previouslydiscussed, based on the consumption, the data analyzer engine 140 orother suitable resource produces popularity ranking information 2535indicating a popularity of the multiple streams of content amongst themultiple subscribers.

As mentioned, the streams of content monitored by the data analyzerengine 140 can be any suitable type of content such as video on demandin which content is transmitted to subscribers in newly allocatedchannels (e.g., switched digital video channels, IPTV channels, etc.).

In one embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140 (or other suitableresource) utilizes the popularity ranking information to identify afewer-than-all portion (subset) of the multiple streams of content tomake available in a playback channel (allocated hot channel orsupplemental channel) accessible to multiple subscribers.

In a further example embodiment, a network manager resource allocatesthe hot channel to broadcast popular content as indicated by thepopularity ranking information 2535 produced by data analyzer engine140. Based on the popularity ranking information 2535, the networkmanager resource schedules broadcast transmission of the subset ofmultiple streams of content (e.g., content deemed as being more popularamongst subscribers) over the allocated hot channel. When the hotchannel is a broadcast channel, each of multiple subscribers cansimultaneously tune to the same broadcast signal (in the hot channel) toview respective popular content.

In this example embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140 producesinformation indicating that stream of content #4 and stream of content#2 are most popular content viewed by subscribers as previouslydiscussed. In this instance, the distribution resource 125 produces thehot channel (i.e., allocated playback channel) to include a broadcast ofstream of content #4 in time segment #1; the distribution resource 125produces the hot channel to include a broadcast of stream of content #2in time segment #2; and so on. Because stream of content #1 and streamof content #3 represent unpopular content, the distribution resource 125prevents transmission of the stream of content #1 and stream of content#3 over the hot channel to subscribers in network environment 100.

Note that the streams of content (stream of content #1, stream ofcontent #2, stream of content #3, stream of content #4, etc.) may becontent transmitted in any suitable transmission protocol and channels.For example, as previously discussed, the streams of content can betransmitted in broadcast channels, streams of content can be transmittedin video on demand channels; streams of content can be transmitted asIPTV data channels, and so on.

One embodiment herein includes monitoring consumption of video on demandchannels in shared communication link 191 to determine which content ismost popular. Video on demand channels can be provided via switcheddigital video. That is, when a subscriber requests to view video ondemand content, the distribution resource allocates a specific channelfor use by the subscriber to receive requested content. In onenon-limiting example embodiment, the hot channel can be a broadcastchannel in which popular streams of content are transmitted in abroadcast manner. Thus, video on demand channels can be monitored forpopular content. A broadcast channel can be used to transmit the popularcontent as detected on video on demand channels.

FIG. 28 is an example diagram illustrating a method of detecting popularcontent and initiating playback of respective content over an allocatedhot channel according to embodiments herein.

In processing block 2810, a resource such as data analyzer engine 140monitors consumption of multiple streams of content amongst multiplesubscribers in a network environment 100.

In processing block 2820, based on the consumption, the data analyzerengine 140 or other suitable resource produces popularity rankinginformation 2535 indicating a popularity of the multiple streams ofcontent amongst the multiple subscribers.

In processing block 2830, a media management resource such asdistribution resource 125 utilizes the popularity ranking information toidentify a subset of the multiple streams of content.

In processing block 2840, the distribution resource 125 transmits thesubset of the multiple streams of content (i.e., popular content) over aplayback channel (such as a supplemental channel) accessible to thesubscribers.

FIG. 15 is an example diagram illustrating processing of feedback andgeneration of control information according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, network environment 100 can include dataanalyzer engine 140. In one embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140receives feedback 156 associated with delivery of content to multiplesubscriber domains 150.

Each of the subscriber domains 150 can include one or more playbackdevices operating to retrieve content for consumption. Consumption caninclude playback of content, storage of content, etc.

In this example embodiment, subscriber domain 150-1 includes playbackdevices 110-1, 110-2, etc. Subscriber domain 150-2 includes playbackdevice 111-1. Subscriber domain 150-3 includes playback devices 112-1,112-2, etc.

The playback devices residing within a respective subscriber domain maycompete for available bandwidth in shared communication link 191. Forexample, playback device 110-1 may compete with playback device 110-2for a portion of available bandwidth allocated to subscriber domain150-1 to retrieve content.

In addition to competition for use of bandwidth amongst playback deviceswithin subscriber domains, the playback devices residing in differentsubscriber domains may compete amongst each other for availablebandwidth in shared communication link 191. For example, playback device110-1 operating in subscriber domain 150-1 may compete with playbackdevice 111-1 (in subscriber domain 150-2) and playback device 112-1 (insubscriber domain 150-3) for available bandwidth to retrieve contentover shared communication link.

The feedback 156 can include status information specifying, for each ofmultiple subscriber domains 150 in the cable network environment networkenvironment, usage of available bandwidth in shared communication link191. Additionally or alternatively, feedback 156 can specify informationsuch as: currently consumed content by a respective playback device,attributes of the playback device such as screen size, an encodingformat used to retrieve content, buffering capability in a respectiveplayback device, metering information such as a tally of past usage ofavailable bandwidth, and so on.

In one embodiment, the available bandwidth is allocated for delivery ofcontent made available by a corresponding cable network serviceprovider. Each of the subscribers associated with respective subscriberdomains 150 subscribes to services provided by the cable network serviceprovider. A portion of bandwidth in shared communication link 191 can beallocated to support IPTV (Internet Protocol TeleVision) in whichcontent is delivered in accordance with the Internet protocol suite overa packet-switched network such as the Internet.

In certain instances, each of the respective playback devices includesone or more media player applications configured to retrieve adaptivebit rate encoded content. Each media player application can beconfigured to retrieve content at a highest bit rate to playback ahighest level of quality possible without regard to other users.Embodiments herein include controlling the “greedy” algorithms in therespective media player applications to promote fairness andoptimization of bandwidth.

Feedback 156 can be received over any suitable communication link. Byway of a non-limiting example, each of multiple resources such asplayback devices, cable modems, etc., can be configured to establish arespective communication link (such as an over-the-top link) with dataanalyzer engine 140 to provide feedback 156. Via communications overrespective communication links, the resources provide the data analyzerengine 140 with appropriate feedback 156.

As mentioned, feedback 156 can be or include any suitable informationsuch as status information associated with playback devices, contentdelivery resources (such as cable modem termination systems, routers,etc., in network environment facilitating delivery of content tosubscriber domains). Feedback 156 can be or include status informationsuch as content consumption information specifying which content iscurrently consumed by each of the playback devices, content selectioninformation (such as type of content selected for playback on arespective playback device), subscriber attributes associated with theuser consuming respective content, device information indicating a typeof playback device playing back content, size of display screen, etc.

As shown, the data analyzer engine 140 stores feedback 156 as statusinformation 163 in a respective repository.

In one example embodiment, the data analyzer engine 140 is configured toanalyze the feedback 156 (stored as status information 163) to identifyattributes of current content consumption by playback devices operatedin the subscriber domains 150. Based on the analyzed feedback, the dataanalyzer engine 140 produces control information 165 specifying dataflow control rates in which one or more of the playback devices innetwork environment 100 are able to retrieve content over a sharedcommunication link 191 in the cable network environment 100. The controlinformation can be used to control algorithms in the respective mediaplayer applications to promote fairness and optimization of bandwidthamongst multiple users in the same or different subscriber domains.

Subsequent to generation of control information 165, notificationresource 141 such as a server resource initiates delivery of portions ofthe control information 165 to one or more resources in shared network190-3.

In a manner as previously discussed, feedback 156 can be received inreal-time, substantially real-time, etc.

Any of multiple different resources (e.g., playback devices, cablemodems, distribution resource 125, etc.) in the shared network 190-3 canbe configured to receive control information. The control information isused to control flow of data to each of the playback devices 110-1,110-2, 111-1, etc.

For example, in one embodiment, notification resource 141 can beconfigured to transmit control information 165 to each of one or moreplayback devices over shared network 190-3. A respective media playerapplication in the target playback device can be configured to receivethe data flow control settings and limit retrieval of content and use ofbandwidth in shared communication link 191 based on the control settingsas specified by received control information for that playback device.

In accordance with another embodiment, the notification resource 141 canbe configured to transmit control information 165 to resource 117-1(such as a control mode, server resource, router, etc.). Resource 117-1can be configured to facilitate distribution of content received fromdistribution resource 125 to respective playback devices 110 insubscriber domain 150-1. For example, in accordance with the receivedcontrol information from notification resource 141 for each playbackdevice, the resource 117-1 can control a rate of transmitting data tothe playback devices 110 in the subscriber domain 150-1. Accordingly,the resource 117-1 can be configured to limit retrieval of content anduse of bandwidth in shared communication link 191 based on the controlsettings as specified by received control information 165.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the notification resource 141can be configured to transmit control information 165 to distributionresource 125 (such as a cable modem termination system, server resource,etc.). Distribution resource 125 can be configured to facilitatedistribution of content received over network 190-2 to respectiveplayback devices 110 in subscriber domain 150-1. For example, inaccordance with the received control information for each playbackdevice, the resource 117-1 controls a rate of transmitting data to theplayback devices 110. Accordingly, the resource 117-1 can be configuredto limit retrieval of content and use of bandwidth in sharedcommunication link 191 based on the control settings as specified byreceived control information 165.

Thus, data flow control can be achieved at any suitable location innetwork environment 100.

As further discussed below, depending on feedback 156, the controlinformation 165 can specify allocation of specific portions of availablebandwidth to the multiple playback devices in different subscriberdomains 150 depending on current operating conditions.

FIG. 16 is an example diagram illustrating generation of controlinformation for one or more subscribers in a cable network environmentaccording to embodiments herein.

In one embodiment, data analyzer engine 140 includes control informationgenerator 1620. As shown, control information generator 1620 processesstatus information 163 (stored feedback 156) and produces controlinformation 165 such as control information 265, control information266, control information 267, etc.

As previously discussed, the control information 165 specifies data flowsettings associated with each of the subscriber domains 150. Morespecifically, control information 265 specifies data flow settingsassociated with subscriber domain 150-1; control information 266specifies data flow settings associated with subscriber domain 150-2;control information 267 specifies data flow settings associated withsubscriber domain 150-3; and so on.

As previously discussed, notification resource 141 initiatesdistribution of the control information 165 to appropriate resources innetwork environment 100.

FIG. 17 is an example diagram illustrating generation of controlinformation for one or more subscribers in a cable network environmentaccording to embodiments herein.

Assume in this example embodiment that playback device 110-1 is operatedin subscriber domain 150-1 to retrieve first content; playback device111-1 is operated in subscriber domain 150-2 to retrieve second content;and so on.

Each of the subscriber domains can subscribe to a respective cablenetwork subscriber plan enabling retrieval of streaming content at amaximum bit rate of 10 MBS (Mega Bits per Second). A limited portion ofbandwidth can be allocated to support delivery of adaptive bit rateencoded content to the playback devices. The playback device can beconfigured to retrieve content at a highest bit rate available.

Additional details of adaptive bit rate consumption are discussed inrelated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/441,335 entitled“Variability in Available Levels of Quality of Encoded Content” filed onApr. 6, 2012, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein bythis reference. Retrieval of content can include obtaining a manifestfile and retrieving data packets of different levels of quality ofencoded data from a server resource depending on bandwidth availability.

Assuming that there is sufficient allocated bandwidth available fordistributing content to the playback devices, the control informationgenerator 1620 produces respective control information enabling theplayback devices to retrieve at a maximum possible bit rate assigned tothe respective subscriber domains.

For example, in this example embodiment, because appropriate bandwidthis available in shared communication link 191, the control informationgenerator 1620 generates control information 265-1 for controlling adata flow rate associated with playback device 110-1 (in subscriberdomain 150-1) to be the maximum allowable retrieval rate of 10 MBS; thecontrol information generator 1620 generates control information 266-1for controlling a data flow rate associated with playback device 111-1(in subscriber domain 150-2) to be the maximum allowable retrieval rateof 10 MBS.

Accordingly, embodiments herein can include generating the controlinformation to include data flow control rates specifying maximum ratesat which each of the playback devices in a respective subscriber domainare able to retrieve adaptive bit rate encoded content transmitted overthe shared communication link 191.

Assume that an additional user in subscriber domain 150-1 suddenlyoperates playback device 110-2 in subscriber domain 150-1 to retrievecontent while playback device 110-1 is operated to retrieve requestedcontent. In such an instance, constantly updated feedback 156 indicatesthat the playback device 110-2 now operates to retrieve content.

In response to detecting additional streaming of content by playbackdevice 110-2, the control information generator 1620 generates thecontrol information 165 as shown in FIG. 18

Referring now to FIG. 18, as previously discussed, subscriber domain150-1 can be limited to use of a maximum of 10 MBS of availablebandwidth allocated to support retrieval of content in accordance with aprotocol such as IPTV. In such an instance, as previously discussed,each of the playback devices 110-1 and 110-2 may now compete for use ofthe limited bandwidth available to the subscriber domain 150-1.

To promote fairness and optimization of allocated bandwidth, the controlinformation generator 1620 generates appropriate data flow controlsettings for each playback device depending on newly received feedback156. For example, the feedback 156 can indicate information such as thatthe playback device 110-1 is an iPod™ having a relatively small displayscreen compared to playback device 110-2 having large display screen (ofpotentially much higher resolution).

In such an instance, based on newly received feedback 156, the controlinformation generator 1620 generates control information specifying areallocation of a portion of available 10 MBS bandwidth to the firstplayback device 110-1 and a portion of available 10 MBS bandwidth to thesecond playback device 110-2.

More specifically, because the playback device 110-1 has a small displayscreen in this example, the control information generator 1620 allocates2 MBS bandwidth to playback device 110-1. Because the playback device110-2 has a large display screen with more pixels, the controlinformation generator 1620 allocates 8 MBS bandwidth to playback device110-2.

As another example, the feedback 156 can indicate that a user of theplayback device 110-1 requests to retrieve and play back a first type ofcontent such as a newscast (requiring low bandwidth for streamingrespective data). The feedback 156 can indicate that a user of theplayback device 110-2 requests to retrieve and play back a second typeof content such as a sports event. The sports event may capture manyscene changes and require a higher bandwidth. In such an instance, toaccommodate both users in subscriber domain 150-1, based on detectedcontent type, the control information generator 1620 can be configuredto generate data flow control settings allocating a much higher amount(such as 8 MBS) of the available 10 MBS to the media player applicationin playback device 110-2 and allocating a lower amount (2 MBS) of theavailable 10 MBS to the playback device 110-1. Accordingly, embodimentsherein include producing the control information based at least in parton types of content consumed by the playback device devices.

Thus, within a respective subscriber domain, embodiments herein includeproviding a better aggregate experience amongst the user. For example,embodiments herein include producing control information indicatingrates at which different respective playback devices in a subscriberdomain are able to retrieve content over a shared communication linkbased on the type of streaming content.

In one embodiment, as mentioned, the notification resource 141 transmitsthe data flow control settings to each of the playback devices 110-1 and110-2. By way of a non-limiting example, the control information 265-2includes data flow control rate settings specifying a first maximum rate(such as 2 MBS) at which the first playback device 110-1 is assigned toretrieve adaptive bit rate encoded content transmitted over an allocatedportion of the shared communication link 191. The control information265-2 includes data flow control rate settings specifying a secondmaximum rate (such as 8 MBS) at which the second playback device 110-2is assigned to retrieve adaptive bit rate encoded content transmittedover an allocated portion of the shared communication link 191.

Accordingly, the control information generator 1620 can receive feedback156 indicating attributes of the playback devices 110 and assign thedata flow control rates to the playback devices based on a typeassociated with each playback device. In a manner as previouslydiscussed, each of the playback devices 110 can be configured to receiverespective data flow control settings and limit retrieval of content inaccordance with such settings. That is, in this example embodiment, amedia player application in the playback device 110-1 limits retrievalof first streaming content over shared communication link 191 to lessthan 2 MBS. A media player application in the playback device 110-2limits retrieval of second streaming content over shared communicationlink 191 to less than 8 MBS.

In this manner, the control information generator 1620 can be configuredto specify maximum rates at which each of the playback devices indifferent subscriber domains 150 of the cable network environment 100are able to retrieve adaptive bit rate encoded content transmitted overthe shared communication link 191.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, certain identified membersin the subscriber domain 150-1 can be allowed to retrieve data at ahigher respective level of quality and/or higher bit rate than othermembers. For example, status information 163 can include user settinginformation indicating different levels of delivery service within arespective subscriber domain. A parent user in the subscriber domain150-1 can be assigned a higher bit rate for retrieving content than arespective child operating a playback device.

As previously discussed, embodiments herein can include detecting anidentity of a respective user operating a playback device and allocatinga bit rate for retrieving or transmitting content based on identity ofthe user.

Detecting an identity of a user operating a respective playback devicecan be achieved in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, a useroperating a respective playback device provides respective userinformation at login of first using the playback device. For example,embodiments herein can require users in a respective subscriber domainto login and provide identity information (such as password and/orusername) when using a respective playback device to retrieve andplayback content.

Based on the identity information, the users in the subscriber domain150-1 can be allocated different amounts of available bandwidth over arespective communication link. In this example embodiment, via statusinformation 163, assume that the control information generator 1620detects that playback device 110-2 is operated by a first user (such asa parent) in subscriber domain 150-1. Assume that the controlinformation generator 1620 detects that a second user operates aplayback device 110-1 in the subscriber domain 150-1. The second usermay be a child of the parent.

Based on different delivery service levels assigned to the users asindicated by status information 163, the control information generator1620 generates respective control information to allocate asubstantially higher portion of available bandwidth on the sharedcommunication link 191-1 for use by the playback device 110-2 (operatedby the parent) than an amount of available bandwidth allocated for useby the playback device 110-1 (operated by the child).

Based on received identity information indicating which user operateseach playback device, assume in this example embodiment that the controlinformation generator 1620 allocates 8 megabits per second (of available10 megabits per second bandwidth) to the playback device 110-2 operatedby the parent and that the control information generator 1620 allocates2 megabits per second of the available bandwidth (10 megabits persecond) to communication device 110-1. Accordingly, embodiments hereininclude providing fair use of bandwidth amongst members in a subscriberdomain based on a level of delivery service assigned to the users in thesubscriber domain 150.

Note that identities of users can be determined based on deviceinformation such as unique network addresses assigned to the differentdevices operating in the subscriber domain. For example, the playbackdevice 110-1 can be assigned a first network address (i.e., first uniqueidentifier value); playback device 110-2 can be assigned a secondnetwork address (i.e., second unique identifier value); and so on. Thefeedback 156 can include playback device information such as the networkaddress of the device requesting the content. If it is known that theparent always operates the playback device 110-2 and the child alwaysoperates the playback device 110-1, then the network address assigned tothe respective playback device can be used as a basis of determining thebit rate that is to be allocated to the playback device to retrieve ortransmit content.

Note that the different ways of controlling rates of delivering contentto different members in a respective subscriber domain are beneficialover conventional techniques. For example, each subscriber domain innetwork environment 100 can be allocated a substantially fixed amount ofbandwidth to receive and/or transmit content over network 190-2 andnetwork 190-3. As mentioned, multiple users in subscriber domain 150-1operate different communication devices 110 and may compete amongst eachother to retrieve available content. Controlling content flow rates tothe different users (based on user identity, device type, type ofstreamed content, etc.) provides a better aggregate experience to theusers in a respective subscriber domain because bandwidth is notneedlessly wasted in streaming situations where extra consumption ofbandwidth by a user is not needed or desired.

More specifically, in accordance with the examples as discussed above: ayounger viewer operating a respective communication device to play backcontent may not notice a degradation in a level of quality of contentdelivery at a lower bit rate, the extra bandwidth can be allocated to anolder viewer; certain content may not warrant a high data rate becausethe content may include slow changing scenes requiring only a low bitrate; a communication device may have a small display screen that doesnot require high bandwidth rates, the extra bandwidth can be allocatedto a different user; different users can be assigned different levels ofdelivery service within a respective subscriber domain depending onidentity of viewers; and so on.

FIG. 19 is an example diagram illustrating control information for oneor more subscribers in a cable network environment according toembodiments herein.

As previously discussed, a predetermined amount of bandwidth may beavailable to deliver adaptive bit rate content to subscriber domains. Incertain instances, a substantially high number of users may attempt touse the allocated bandwidth, resulting in congestion and the need tolimit each subscriber domain to use of less than 10 MBS.

Assume in this example that feedback 156 indicates that a substantiallyhigh number of users in subscriber domains 150 request retrieval ofcontent. In response to the high use of allocated bandwidth, the controlinformation generator reduces the data flow control settings at thesubscriber domain level by 50%. That is, the control informationgenerator 1620 reduces total bandwidth to subscriber domain 150-1 to 5megabits per second as opposed to 10 megabits per second; controlinformation generator 1620 reduces total bandwidth to subscriber domain150-2 to 5 megabits per second as opposed to 10 megabits per second. Inthis instance, control information generator 1620 reduces data flowcontrol settings for playback device 110-1 to 1 MBS; the controlinformation generator 1620 reduces data flow control settings forplayback device 110-2 to 4 MBS; the control information generator 1620reduces data flow control settings for playback device 110-1 to 5 MBS;and so on.

Accordingly, each of the subscriber domains and respective playbackdevices can receive a reduced portion of bandwidth to retrieve content.The control information generator 1620 apportions the availablebandwidth amongst users in the respective subscriber domain.

FIG. 20 is an example diagram illustrating control information for oneor more subscribers in a cable network environment according toembodiments herein.

In order to further optimize use of the available allocated bandwidth,the control information generator 1620 can be configured to reducebandwidth allocated to each of the playback devices across subscriberdomains to promote further fairness and optimization in networkenvironment 100.

For example, assume that there is insufficient bandwidth to allow eachsubscriber domain to be allocated 10 MBS. Assume further that feedback156 indicates that: i) playback device 110-1 currently plays back anewscast requiring relatively low bandwidth; ii) playback device 110-2currently plays back a cartoon requiring relatively low bandwidth; iii)playback device 110-3 currently plays back a sports event contentrequiring relatively high bandwidth.

To accommodate each of the users, as well as promote fairness andoptimization in real-time or substantially real-time, the controlinformation generator 1620 generates respective control information265-4 indicating allocation of 1 MBS to playback device 110-1;allocation of 1 MBS to playback device 110-2. Control informationgenerator 1620 generates respective control information 266-4 indicatingallocation of 8 MBS to playback device 111-1. Thus, the bandwidth savedby reducing bandwidth allocated to the playback devices 110-1 and 110-2in subscriber domain 150-1 and allocating more bandwidth for use byplayback device 111-1 in subscriber domain 150-2.

Thus, smart decisions can be made to apportion use of bandwidth amongstsubscriber domains.

FIG. 21 is an example diagram illustrating a method of controlling dataflow control settings according to embodiments herein.

In processing block 2110, the data analyzer engine 140 receives feedback156 associated with consumption of content by subscriber domains 150and/or multiple playback devices 110, 111, etc., in a cable networkenvironment 100.

In processing block 2120, the data analyzer engine 140 analyzes thefeedback 156.

In processing block 2130, based on analysis of the feedback 156, thedata analyzer engine 140 produces control information 165 specifyingdata flow control rates in which the multiple playback devices 110, 111,etc., are able to retrieve content over a shared communication link 191in the cable network environment 100.

FIG. 22 is an example diagram illustrating a method of controlling dataflow control settings according to embodiments herein.

In processing block 2210, a hardware resource (such as resource 117-1,playback device 110-2, playback device 110-2, etc.) generates feedback156 associated with current content consumption in the subscriber domain150-1.

In processing block 2220, the hardware resource forwards the feedback156 to a management resource (such an embodiment data analyzer engine140) in network environment 100.

In processing block 2230, the hardware resource receives controlinformation 165 from the management resource. The control information165 specifies data flow control rates assigned to one or more playbackdevices in the subscriber domain 150-1.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited for analyzing contentconsumption information, providing notification of popular content, andgenerating control information. However, it should be noted thatembodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications and thatthe techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applicationsas well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: via computer processor hardware,executing operations of: receiving content ranking informationindicating popularity rankings of different content currently consumedby subscribers in a network environment, the content ranking informationindicating an identity of currently popular content amongst thedifferent content; selecting, based on a popularity ranking of thecurrently popular content as indicated by the content rankinginformation, the identity of the currently popular content for inclusionin a content guide; producing the content guide to include identities ofmultiple selectable channels from which the different content isavailable over a shared communication link in the network environment,the content guide including a selectable supplemental channel viewingoption in addition to the identities of the multiple selectablechannels, the selectable supplemental channel viewing option indicatingan identity of a particular selectable channel of the multipleselectable channels that currently transmits a rendition of thecurrently popular content as specified by the content rankinginformation; and initiating display of the content guide on a displayscreen; wherein the particular selectable channel is a first selectablechannel of the multiple selectable channels, the method furthercomprising: populating the selectable supplemental channel viewingoption to indicate that the first selectable channel supplies first mostpopular ranked content as indicated by ranking information during afirst time slot; and populating the selectable supplemental channelviewing option to indicate that a second channel of the multipleselectable channels supplies second most popular ranked content asindicated by the ranking information during the first time slot.
 2. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the selectable supplemental channelviewing option represents an independent channel with respect to themultiple selectable channels in the content guide, the independentchannel allocated to transmit a copy of the currently popular content,the currently popular content being most popularly consumed contentamongst the multiple selectable channels, the method further comprising:in response to detecting the most popularly consumed content,transmitting the copy of the most popularly consumed content over theindependent channel.
 3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: inresponse to receiving selection of the selectable supplemental channelviewing option from the content guide, tuning to the particularselectable channel to playback the rendition of the currently popularcontent on the display screen.
 4. The method as in claim 1 furthercomprising: receiving selection of a genre amongst multiple genres; andin response to receiving selection of the selectable supplementalchannel viewing option from the content guide, displaying identities ofmost popularly ranked content for the selected genre.
 5. The method asin claim 1, wherein the display screen is disparately located withrespect to a primary display screen controlled by a respectivesubscriber to view content selected for viewing from the content guide;and wherein the primary display screen is part of a remote controllerdevice used to select content for viewing and playback of content on theprimary display screen.
 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein thedifferent content includes different streams of broadcasted contentconsumed by the subscribers, the method further comprising: receivingfeedback indicating the different streams of broadcasted contentcurrently consumed by the subscribers in the network environment; andanalyzing the feedback in substantially real-time to produce the contentranking information, the content ranking information indicatingpopularity rankings of the different streams of broadcasted content. 7.The method as in claim 1 further comprising: displaying the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option in the content guide as anindependently selectable channel with respect to the multiple selectablechannels.
 8. The method as in claim 7 further comprising: initiatingdisplay of the content guide to include time slot information indicatinga respective time slot in which the different content is broadcastedover the shared communication link.
 9. The method as in claim 8, whereinthe content ranking information is derived from content viewingselections by a group of the multiple subscribers viewing the differentcontent in the respective time slot.
 10. The method as in claim 1,wherein initiating display of the content guide includes: staticallydisplaying the selectable supplemental channel viewing option in thecontent guide at a fixed location on the display screen as aless-than-all portion of the multiple selectable channels displayed onthe display screen changes.
 11. The method as in claim 1 furthercomprising: initiating display of the identity of the particularselectable channel of the multiple selectable channels, the contentranking information indicating that the particular selectable channelsupplies most popular viewed content to the subscribers; and initiatingsimultaneous display of the identity of the particular selectablechannel and the selectable supplemental channel viewing option in thecontent guide, the selectable supplemental channel viewing optionindicating a respective title of the most popular viewed contentcurrently available for viewing over the particular selectable channel.12. The method as in claim 11 further comprising: producing theparticular selectable channel to indicate availability of the respectivetitle of the most popular viewed content over the particular selectablechannel.
 13. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: producing thedisplayed content guide to include numerical channel identityinformation, the numerical channel identity information indicating arespective channel number assigned to each of the multiple selectablechannels.
 14. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: producing theselectable supplemental channel viewing option to indicate an identityof the particular selectable channel and a respective title of thecurrently popular content currently supplied over the particularselectable channel.
 15. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:populating the selectable supplemental channel viewing option toindicate that the selectable supplemental channel viewing optionsupplies currently most popular ranked content as indicated by theranking information during a first time slot.
 16. The method as in claim1 further comprising: identifying a class to which a given subscriber isassigned; utilizing the content ranking information to identifycurrently most popular content falling in the class assigned to thesubscriber; and populating the selectable supplemental channel viewingoption in the content guide to indicate the currently most popularcontent falling in the class assigned to the given subscriber.
 17. Themethod as in claim 1 further comprising: populating the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option to include identities of multipleselectable channels identified by the content ranking information asbroadcasting most popular content in multiple different genres.
 18. Themethod as in claim 1 further comprising: populating the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option to include a ranking of identitiesof a list of selectable channels identified by the content rankinginformation as broadcasting popular content in a single genre.
 19. Themethod as in claim 1 further comprising: producing the displayed contentguide to include a first selectable display window to display theselectable supplemental channel viewing option and a second selectabledisplay window to display an identity of the particular selectablechannel, the first display window disparately located with respect tothe second display window on the display screen.
 20. The method as inclaim 1, wherein initiating display of the content guide includes: whilestatically displaying the selectable supplemental channel viewing optionin the content guide in a first display region of the display screen,varying display of a portion of identities of the multiple selectablechannels displayed in a second display region on the display screen. 21.The method as in claim 1 further comprising: displaying the identity ofa title of the currently popular content in a display regioncorresponding to the selectable supplemental channel viewing option,display of the identity of the title of content in the display regionindicating that the title is popularly viewed according to the contentranking information.
 22. The method as in claim 21, wherein the displayregion indicates a respective time slot in which the particularselectable channel currently transmits the rendition of the currentlypopular content as specified by the content ranking information.
 23. Themethod as in claim 22, wherein the respective time slot is a first timeslot of multiple time slots; and wherein the display region includes asecond time slot, the second time slot unpopulated with any title ofcontent.
 24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the respective time slotdisplays the identity of the title of the currently popular content. 25.The method as in claim 1 further comprising: providing a visualindication in the content guide that the selectable supplemental channelviewing option represents a supplemental selectable channel from whichto select the currently popular content for playback.
 26. The method asin claim 25, wherein initiating display of the content guide includes:statically displaying the selectable supplemental channel viewing optionin the content guide at a fixed location on the display screen as aless-than-all portion of the multiple selectable channels displayed onthe display screen dynamically changes based on input from a user. 27.The method as in claim 1, wherein the selectable supplemental channelviewing option represents an independent channel with respect to themultiple selectable channels in the content guide, the independentchannel allocated to transmit a copy of the popularly ranked content,the popularly ranked content being most popular consumed content amongstthe multiple selectable channels.
 28. The method as in claim 27 furthercomprising: in response to detecting the most popular consumed contentas indicated by the content ranking information, transmitting a copy ofthe most popular consumed content over the independent channel; and inresponse to receiving selection of the supplemental channel viewingoption from the content guide displayed on the display screen, tuning tothe independent channel as specified in the content guide on which thepopularly ranked content is available.
 29. The method as in claim 1,wherein the supplemental channel viewing option is displayed in thecontent guide as a separate selectable channel with respect to theparticular selectable channel of the multiple selectable channels. 30.The method as in claim 29, wherein both the supplemental channel viewingoption and the particular selectable channel in the content guidevisually indicate the identity of the currently popular content.
 31. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the currently popular content is availablefor retrieval over the shared communication link via both the particularselectable channel and the selectable supplemental channel viewingoption, the supplemental channel viewing option and the particularselectable channel simultaneously displayed in the content guide on thedisplay screen.
 32. The method as in claim 1, wherein an identity of theparticular selectable channel is represented by a symbol; and whereinthe content guide displays: i) a first rendition of the symbol in thesupplemental channel viewing option, and ii) a second rendition of thesymbol in the particular selectable channel.
 33. The method as in claim1, wherein the popular content includes first content and secondcontent, the method further comprising: in response to receivingselection of the selectable supplemental channel viewing option from thecontent guide, initiating display of multiple window regions including afirst window region and a second window region on the display screen,the first window region displaying playback of a rendition of the firstcontent, the second window region displaying playback of a rendition ofthe second content.
 34. The method as in claim 33 further comprising:receiving the first content over a first channel of the multipleselectable channels identified in the content guide; and receiving thesecond content over a second channel of the multiple selectable channelsidentified in the content guide.
 35. A computer system comprising:computer processor hardware; and a hardware storage resource, thecomputer processor hardware coupled to communicate with the hardwarestorage resource, the hardware storage resource storing instructionsthat, when executed by the computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware to: receive content ranking informationindicating popularity rankings of different content currently consumedby subscribers in a network environment, the content ranking informationindicating an identity of currently popular content amongst thedifferent content; select, based on a ranking of the currently popularcontent as indicated by the content ranking information, the identity ofthe currently popular content for inclusion in a content guide producethe content guide to include identities of multiple selectable channelsfrom which the different content is available over a sharedcommunication link in the network environment, the content guideincluding a selectable supplemental channel viewing option in additionto the identities of the multiple selectable channels, the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option indicating an identity of aparticular selectable channel of the multiple selectable channels thatcurrently transmits a rendition of the currently popular content asspecified by the content ranking information; and initiate display ofthe content guide on a display screen; wherein the popular contentincludes first content and second content available for retrieval in thenetwork environment, the computer processor hardware further operableto: in response to receiving selection of the selectable supplementalchannel viewing option from the content guide, initiate display ofmultiple window regions including a first window region and a secondwindow region on the display screen, the first window region displayingplayback of a rendition of the first content, the second window regiondisplaying playback of a rendition of the second content; wherein thefirst content is received over a first channel of the multipleselectable channels identified in the content guide; wherein the secondcontent is received over a second channel of the multiple selectablechannels identified in the content guide; wherein the second windowregion plays back the rendition of the second content at a firstresolution, the computer processor hardware further operable to: inresponse to receiving selection of the second window region: i) tune tothe second channel to receive the second content; and ii) initiatedisplay of a substantially full screen playback rendition of the secondcontent on the display screen, the substantially full screen renditionof the second content being displayed in accordance with a secondresolution, the second resolution substantially greater than the firstresolution.
 36. The computer system as in claim 35, wherein theselectable supplemental channel viewing option represents an independentchannel with respect to the multiple selectable channels in the contentguide, the independent channel allocated to transmit a copy of mostpopular consumed content amongst the multiple selectable channels asspecified by the content ranking information, the computer processorhardware further operable to: in response to detecting the most popularconsumed content, transmit the copy of the most popular consumed contentover the independent channel.
 37. The computer system as in claim 35,wherein the computer processor hardware is further operable to: inresponse to receiving selection of the selectable supplemental channelviewing option from the content guide, tune to a corresponding channelas specified in the content guide on which the popular content isavailable.
 38. The computer system as in claim 35, wherein the popularcontent includes first content and second content available forretrieval in the network environment, the computer processor hardwarefurther operable to: in response to receiving selection of theselectable supplemental channel viewing option from the content guide:initiate display of a first symbol on the display screen, the firstsymbol representing the first content, the first symbol indicating thatthe first content is amongst the popular content; and initiate displayof a second symbol on the display screen, the second symbol representingthe second content, the second symbol indicating that the second contentis amongst the popular content.
 39. The computer system as in claim 35,wherein the display screen is disparately located with respect to aprimary display screen controlled by a respective subscriber to viewcontent selected for viewing from the content guide.
 40. A methodcomprising: via computer processor hardware, executing operations of:receiving content ranking information indicating popularity rankings ofdifferent content currently consumed by subscribers in a networkenvironment, the content ranking information indicating an identity ofcurrently popular content amongst the different content; selecting,based on a popularity ranking of the currently popular content asindicated by the content ranking information, the identity of thecurrently popular content for inclusion in a content guide; producingthe content guide to include identities of multiple selectable channelsfrom which the different content is available over a sharedcommunication link in the network environment, the content guideincluding a selectable supplemental channel viewing option in additionto the identities of the multiple selectable channels, the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option indicating an identity of aparticular selectable channel of the multiple selectable channels thatcurrently transmits a rendition of the currently popular content asspecified by the content ranking information; and initiating display ofthe content guide on a display screen; wherein the popular contentincludes first content and second content, the method furthercomprising: in response to receiving selection of the selectablesupplemental channel viewing option from the content guide, initiatingdisplay of multiple window regions including a first window region and asecond window region on the display screen, the first window regiondisplaying playback of a rendition of the first content, the secondwindow region displaying playback of a rendition of the second content;the method further comprising: receiving the first content over a firstchannel of the multiple selectable channels identified in the contentguide; and receiving the second content over a second channel of themultiple selectable channels identified in the content guide; whereinthe second window region plays back the rendition of the second contentat a first resolution, the method further comprising: in response toreceiving selection of the second window region: initiate display of asubstantially full screen playback rendition of the second content onthe display screen, the substantially full screen playback rendition ofthe second content being displayed in accordance with a secondresolution, the second resolution substantially greater than the firstresolution.